Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

December 27, 2003 - Issue 103

Arctic Mission Sets Sail for National Broadcast Premiere on CBC’s The Nature of Things with David Suzuki NFB 5-part series premieres on January 28

The National Film Board of Canada, Glacialis Productions, Gedeon Programmes and CBC Television proudly announce the national broadcast premiere of Arctic Mission, a 5-part documentary series shot in high definition, on The Nature of Things with David Suzuki. The Great Adventure, the first film to launch the series, explores the unforgiving nature of the Arctic landscape and its impact on modern-day explorers.

In The Great Adventure, filmmakers Jean Lemire and Thierry Piantanida and the crew of the Sedna IV undertake a five-month, 2100 kilometre scientific mission to record the impact of global warming on the Arctic. This thrilling documentary shows the crew as they navigate a three-mast sailing ship though the legendary Northwest Passage - a treacherous, ice-filled channel that has captured the imaginations of great explorers for centuries. The Great Adventure was written and directed by Jean Lemire and Thierry Piantanida and narrated by Joël Le Bigot and Jean Lemire. Broadcasts are Wednesday, January 28, 7 PM, and Sunday, February 1, 5 PM. All times a half hour later in Newfoundland.

In Lords of the Arctic, Nature of Things director and wildlife specialist Caroline Underwood follows the eight seasons of Inuit culture. Her extraordinary footage of polar bears, thick-billed murres, bowhead whales, muskox, caribou and plankton is a precious source of information about climate change. Written by Jean Lemire and Caroline Underwood, directed by Caroline Underwood and narrated by David Suzuki, Lords of the Arctic broadcast is Wednesday, February 4, 7 PM.

People of the Ice is a remarkable film by director Carlos Ferrand that observes climate change through the eyes of Inuit from several generations. For 4,000 years, the Inuit have lived in harmony with their Arctic environment, but today, global warming threatens their habitat. Will this extraordinarily resilient people be able to adjust? Written by Carlos Ferrand and Jean Lemire, directed by Carlos Ferrand and narrated by David Suzuki, People of the Ice broadcasts on Wednesday, February 11, 7 PM, and Sunday, February 15, 5 PM.

In Washed Away, filmmaker Patricio Henriquez visits communities struggling to prevent the disappearance of land due to the ecological impact of the industrialized world. Leading scientists stress the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel consumption to protect future generations and pose the question, Are world leaders willing to act before it’s too late? Written by Patricio Henriquez and Jean Lemire and directed by Patricio Henriquez, Washed Away broadcasts are Wednesday, February 18, 7 PM, and Sunday, February 22, 5 PM.

In Climate on the Edge director Alain Belhumeur meets scientists who predict a series of devastating upheavals due to global warming. In the Arctic, the most acute sign of impending disaster is the melting of the permafrost, resulting in the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. The survival of the Arctic ecosystem is at risk. Written by Jean Lemire and Alain Belhumeur, directed by Alain Belhumeur and narrated by David Suzuki, Climate on the Edge broadcasts are Wednesday, February 25, 7 PM, and Sunday, February 29, 5 PM.

Arctic Mission was produced by Glacialis Productions (Jean Lemire) in co-production with The National Film Board of Canada (Éric Michel, Colette Loumède and Sally Bochner) and Gedeon Programmes (Stéphane Millière), in association with CBC’s The Nature of Things (Michael Allder). More information can be found at www.nfb.ca/sedna/articmission . The NFB web page will be linked to a features page on the series at The Nature of Things with David Suzuki website at www.cbc.ca/natureofthings .

About the NFB
Since its creation in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada has produced over 10,000 films and other audiovisual works, and won over 4000 awards - including 10 Oscars®. As Canada's public film producer, the NFB produces and distributes distinctive, culturally diverse, challenging and relevant audiovisual works that provide Canada and the world with a unique Canadian perspective. To purchase NFB releases or for more information, visit www.nfb.ca or call 1-800-267-7710.

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