Home Place; Exploring Human
Ecology
By Waterhen Film
Productions
This is a "quadrilogy" of superbly creative and
beautiful science films in video format, each 26 minutes in length. Clearly
these are educational films for high school and adult audiences. These films
explore and describe the meaning of the ecocentric valuation perspective of the
Earth.
Quote from program prologue:
"There is a place in the
universe unlike any other....a modest blue-and-white planet circling a very
lonely star. It's the only place we know of - with oceans of liquid water, and
an atmosphere rich in oxygen. It's the only place we know of - which has
created the magical essence called life. Of twenty million life forms, a
species called man has grown so powerful that it threatens the creativity of
the planet. That species is now searching for a new understanding of its
relationship with Earth....its only HOME PLACE"
Film No. 1.
Inside-Outside
Explores the problem of recognizing and understanding
ecosystems from within their boundaries. Images of Earth from space have
provided us with a view from outside, making possible a new, more complete
perspective. This program discards the human-centered concept of "environment,"
replacing it with the more universal idea of "ecosystems." The Ecosphere
concept is introduced as an alternative world view, in which Earth itself is
conceived as living...as an Ecological Being.
Film No. 2. Life Cycles
Explores the problems
encountered when we try to distinguish between living and non-living parts of
the Earth. Attributes of organisms which are recognized as being characteristic
of "life." are also found in larger systems...ecosystems and the Earth itself.
Everything on Earth is linked by the cycling of matter and flows of
energy...making it impossible to distinguish living from non-living parts. Life
is a property of Earth, expressed in organisms and other incredible phenomena.
Film No. 3. Partnerships
Explores the challenges
faced by industrial societies as the shift from the present damaging,
exploitive relationship with Earth ecosystems towards a comre sustainable
partnership. The program shows how ancient cultures vanished because they lived
beyond their ecological means, and shows clearly that present agricultural,
forestry and fishery practices have us on the same course. Modern developments
in ecologically based forestry illustrate the kind of partnership which is
possible if ecosystem needs are respected.
Film No. 4. Going Home
Explores the aspects of living
in an industrial society which cut us off from the natural ecosystems that
sustain our lives. We are insulated by cocoons of cultural myth which affect
the way we see and understand the world, and by cocoons of technology which
insulate our senses from the natural world. The result is insensitivity to the
Earth and a perpetual decline in human health and well-being. The human species
has become an alien within its own Home Place. Personal remedies are found in
activities which help us reconnect with the Earth.
Cinematography: Robert J. Long, President, Waterhen Films
Host: J. Stan Rowe
Narration: Liona Boyd
Producers: Karen P.
Henders and Rob
Also: sound specialists, various consultants and
coordinators
Purchase Price: $30(US) each; $100(US) per set of four.
Obtainable from:
Waterhen Film Productions Ltd.,
P.O. Box 69,
Balgonie, Saskatchewan S0G 0E0
Canada
Tel: (306) 771-2713
Email: bob@earthseeker.com
 Other Ecocentric Texts |