The film follows the current and former pro athletes on their journey across BC’s West Coast, exploring the natural environment and communities they have forged deep ties with over the course of their careers.
The athletes also turn the cameras to the First Nations with whom they’ve built relationships over the years, allowing those communities a chance to share the environmental challenges they face from industry.
Examples include the Xwisten Nation’s struggle with destruction of salmon habitat through hydroelectric dam activity on the Bridge River, the fight against raw resource extraction in Tahltan territory in Northern BC and the Musgamagw and Namgis’ fight against open-pen fish farms.
Co-director and snowboarder Tamo Campos described making the documentary to CBC News as a chance to work collaboratively with each community featured in the film.
"It's not just like your classic adventure film where a snowboarder stumbles upon an environmental issue or a social issue," Campos told the public broadcaster. "This film shows a different relationship you can have with communities … with the land."
Screening of The Radicals, which has a 75-minute run-time, will be followed by a discussion with guest speakers Clyde Dawson, a councillor at Dzawada'enuxw First Nation, and activist Molina Dawson.
The evening is hosted by NIC's Global Learning Initiative, a student-driven project which fosters awareness of global issues through partnerships with local communities and individuals.
The initiative supports students’ experiences in remote communities in Uganda, Nepal and Mozambique and continues to strengthen cultural understandings through field schools to Aboriginal and global communities.
“We’re pleased to host this screening and encourage everyone to attend,” said NIC nursing student and event organizer Paula Branchi. “This film is about making an impact and that’s what we are passionate about as well.”
The screening starts at 6:30 pm in the Stan Hagen Theatre at NIC’s Comox Valley campus, followed by the Q&A. Doors open at 6 pm. Admission is by donation to the Global Learning Initiative. Fair trade coffee and chocolate are also available for purchase at the event.
For more details, contact Lynne Oberik at 250-334-5061 or email lynne.oberik@nic.bc.ca.
For more information on The Radicals, visit the film’s website at www.theradicalsfilm.com.
