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Film club: One Last Farm
The “Reel Nature” Film clubs concluded the academic year with a screening of “One Last Farm,” directed by Nikki Dodd. This film illustrates the struggles of Yew Tree Farm, a vital biodiversity haven in Bristol. Audience discussions highlighted the importance of valuing nature and encouraged personal connections to local ecosystems. And we finished with this…
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Film Club: Fighting for the Underdog
This month’s film club showcased “Fighting for the Underdog,” a documentary by One Kai. It tells a story about the spurdog shark and emphasises the interconnectedness of marine stakeholders. The film provoked discussions on conservation perspectives, urging the audience to seek underrepresented voices. It highlights the complex relationships between fishermen and the environment, advocating for…
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Film Club: Buy Now!
The Reel Nature film club collaborated with the MAKERS Project to watch Buy Now! A Netflix documentary about overconsumption that reveals the marketing tricks used to lure us into buying more. It sparked emotional discussions among viewers about manipulation and personal responsibility. We all expressed guilt, outrage, and hope, emphasizing the need to consume less…
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Film Club: Chasing Ice
The film club screened “Chasing Ice,” a campaign film highlighting James Balog’s journey to document climate change in the Arctic. Audience reactions were overwhelmingly positive, finding inspiration in Balog’s sacrifices. While some felt disconnected due to the film’s characters and setting, discussions revealed a desire to engage more deeply with environmental issues at the film’s…
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Film Club: 2040
My monthly environmental film club at UWE attempts to engage students and staff in discussions on climate and environmental justice. This month’s film “2040”, directed by Damon Gameau’s inspires hope by highlighting existing solutions to environmental crises. After the screening we had great discussions about the variety of solutions that actually already exist, the topics…
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Imaginary Book club: How to Be Animal
Melanie Challenger’s “How to Be Animal” beautifully challenges the human-animal dichotomy, exploring its implications on society and the environment. The book delves into the historical, religious, and scientific perspectives on human-animal distinctions, shedding light on how these ideas shape societal hierarchies and environmental attitudes. Reconsidering our relationship with animals is therefore crucial for social justice…
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Imaginary Book club: My Life in Sea Creatures
In “My Life in Sea Creatures,” Sabrina Imbler intricately weaves her personal experiences with the lives of underwater animals, offering a captivating and educational journey. The book immersed me in a surreal exploration of identity and compassion, provoking a deep connection with Imbler and the more-than-human world. The emotional and personal healing journey shared through…
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Imaginary Book club: Bitch
Lucy Cooke’s “Bitch” challenges traditional scientific assumptions about gender, sex and behaviour in the animal kingdom. The book exposes biases and binary thinking in evolutionary biology and calls for a new understanding that shapes our relationship with the more-than-human world. Reading Cooke’s work prompted critical self-reflection as it encouraged me to examine my own biased…