Mark Achbar brings Blue Gold: World Water Wars to Syracuse April 22
Mark Achbar, one of Canada’s award-winning Filmmaker/Producers, will be in Syracuse on April 22 as a guest of The Syracuse International Film Festival and Syracuse University. He will show his newest film, Blue Gold, at the Palace Theater, 2384 James St., Syracuse (Eastwood) at 7:30 p.m. on April 22. In addition, you can join Achbar for dinner at Phoebe’s Restaurant prior to the screening (5:15 p.m.) as he kicks off SYRFILM’s new series, “A Filmmaker at the Table.” “The world’s fresh water is disappearing. In every corner of the globe we are polluting and wasting our fresh water supply as population and technology grows.” These lines describe the premise of Achbar’s new documentary film, Blue Gold: World Water Wars. Mark Achbar, a graduate of Syracuse University’s Fine Arts Film Program, has worked in film for 30 years and is spending several days at SU as a visiting artist in the Department of Transmedia, College of Visual & Performing Arts. Recognized worldwide as one of a group of non-fiction feature filmmakers reaching large, international audiences through mainstream theaters, DVD, TV and the Internet, Achbar is also known for the award-winning productions, The Corporation and Noam Chomsky and the Media. In addition to dinner and the film, the April 22 evening will feature an exhibition of photography by Dr. Gregory Craybas, whose work highlights the natural beauty of water in Central New York and around the Great Lakes. Tickets for the evening event are $55 single/$100 couple and include dinner and the film screening. Dinner space is limited and reservations are needed (443.8826) by April 14. Tickets will also be available for the film only ($10/$8 seniors/students) at the theater door. Each dinner guest will receive a ticket for gift baskets donated by Natur-Tyme Natural Food Store and other local businesses and services. Achbar is the third Film Artist brought to Syracuse this year by the Syracuse International Film Festival. Other world-class artists presenting their work have included Cannes Festival award winning director, Rob Nilsson who screened Imbued (starring Stacy Keach) and activist-filmmaker George Gittoes, who screened Soundtrack to War and The Miscreants of Talliwood. ‘Save the planet’ with Alec Loorz April 23
Alec Loorz, now 15, founded Kids vs. Global Warming when he was 12 years old. Kids vs. Global Warming seeks to educate youth about the science behind global warming, while empowering them to take action. Through educational presentations, community activism projects, multi-media and leadership training, their mission is to empower today’s youth to use their voice and remind them that there is something to be done about the current global warming crisis. Feeling the weight of the global situation and a sense that he could make a difference, Alec created a presentation made specifically for youth, full of videos, animation, easy-to-understand science, and compelling motivation for kids K through college ages. His message is deeply rooted in hope, encouraging kids to speak up and let their voices be heard on this issue. After giving over 30 global warming presentations he was invited by Al Gore to be formally trained with the Climate Project in October of 2008 and is now the youngest trained presenter with The Climate Project. On Friday, April 23 at 7p.m., Syracuse will have the rare opportunity to hear from and meet Alec at the Palace Theater, 2384 James Street. For more information on Kids vs. Global Warming, visit kids-vs-global-warming.com.
Tickets for ‘Save the Planet with Alec Loorz’ ($5 for adults and free for kids 17 and under) will be available at the door. To reserve tickets or for more information, call the Film Festival office at 443.8826. Additional sponsorship for these guests was provided by Le Moyne College Film Program and Syracuse University.