The Burning Season: Lively debate at Tribeca Q&A

April 29, 2009

Lively debate at Tribeca Q&A

Following a screening of The Burning Season on Tuesday 28 April at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, a question and answer session was hosted by Ira Flatow, author and host of NPR’s Science Friday. Producer/director/writer Cathy Henkel was joined on the panel by Dorjee Sun and New York Times environmental correspondent Elisabeth Rosenthal.

More than 400 people attended the very lively, passionate, at times, quite heated conversation with the audience.

'There was one young man who got really angry about the concept of carbon trading, but wasn't able to clearly articulate why,' says Cathy Henkel. 'The audience got very impatient with him, but Dorjee handled the situation superbly. When the young man ran out of argument, he started to walk out and Dorjee followed him up the aisle and ended the altercation with a hug. It was a beautiful and theatrical moment, and my admiration for Dorjee went up another notch.'

Also in the audience were Fabien Cousteau (son of Jean Michel Cousteau and grandson of Jacques Yves Cousteau, the legendary environmentalist), Richard Zimmerman from Orangutan Outreach (www.redapes.org) and Willie Smits, as well as numerous journalists and television reporters. The Sydney Morning Herald and Financial Times were there to report on the event.

'Overall the reaction to the film, and to what Dorjee is doing, was positive and enthusiastic,' adds Cathy. 'The fact that it also generates controversy and heated debate is for me, as a filmmaker, an indication that the film is working. The young man's outburst and the emotion and passion expressed by others in the audience made the event more memorable and hopefully the issues more present in the minds of every member of the audience as they left the cinema last night. Let's see how many log on to our web site and join on the "ten things" web site.'

Shortly after the Q&A, one participant said: 'I attended the showing last night of The Burning Season at the Tribeca Film Festival. Brilliant film! Thank you for making it Cathy. Having grown up in Indonesia I thought you created vivid depiction of the realities of deforestation and its impact. I look forward to seeing more of your films.

'And thank you Dorjee for determination, speaking about synchronicity in your own life and being genuine! It’s not every day that you encounter someone so impressive on-screen and off. When you hugged the pessimist in the auditorium, it was a true example of hope. It was quite incredible to witness.'

See photos from the Q&A here.

Apr 29, 2009 9:17:25 AM | Festivals

5 Comments

Uhm, I was there. The man did not run out of debating points, you evaded him, He said I think, that he was subject to over 100 minutes of "propaganda" and so he left. The Director was really embarassingly unaware of the issues. If you are really serious about these issues, anyone reading this, and the shills in the film, then I recommend Carbon Trading: A Critical Conversation on Climate Change, Privatisation and Power by Larry Lohmann. The book concludes that the carbon trading approach is both ineffective and unjust. The bulk of fossil fuels must be left in the ground if climate chaos is to be avoided.
http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/summary.shtml?x=544225

and the movie was BORING. Like a too long reality tv show. Ugh.

Posted by: Jennifer | April 29, 2009 at 01:26 PM

The pessimist in the audience??? I was there. Carbon trading is a destructive scam. You should look into the issue more. I heard y say you never heard of carbon trading before you made the film. ha is rater a gap in your knowledge, no?

Posted by: Mark | April 29, 2009 at 01:31 PM