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Toronto, ON July 25, 2005 —Planet in Focus (PIF), Canada's acclaimed international environmental film and video festival, launches its sixth season with the Canadian premiere screening of director Taggart Siegel’s award-winning documentary The Real Dirt on Farmer John.
Described by The Corporation director Mark Achbar as a "deeply moving metaphor for the struggle of an entire generation,” The Real Dirt on Farmer John has been recognized with Audience Choice Awards at Slamdance and Chicago International Documentary Festivals, and Grand Jury Awards at San Francisco International Film and Newport Film Festivals. The film screens on Wednesday, September 28 at the Royal Cinema, 606 College at 7PM. Farmer John Peterson and director Taggart Siegel will attend.
A rich, celebratory feature that chronicles an eccentric, maverick farmer’s personal struggle to overcome being ostracized by his community and radically transform his traditional approach to the land, The Real Dirt on Farmer John crosses the line between mythology and personal politics. “Farmer John's story is about the dying embers of the traditional family farm. But there's a twist, a sort of resurrection,” states PIF Festival Director, Candida Paltiel. “A beautifully crafted film that speaks to the environmental realities of its subject in a most personal nuanced way, this remarkable film takes the viewer on a transformative journey in a manner that only cinema can. It truly should not to be missed.”
Since its debut in September 2000, PIF’s annual film festival has showcased outstanding films and videos of all genres and styles covering a broad range of environmental themes by Canadian and international filmmakers. Over the short history of the festival, PIF has grown in size and programming breadth to attract larger audiences each year, a significant accomplishment achieved largely through the hard work of volunteers. The creative sponsor for this year’s film festival is Ambrose Carr Linton Carroll (ACLC) with artwork specifically designed by academy award-winning animator Frédéric Back.
Extending the definition of 'environment' beyond the traditional emphasis on films about nature, PIF’s varied selection of cutting-edge films are unique, broad in content, and of interest to a wide audience including children of all ages. The annual film and video festival is but one portion of Planet in Focus’s larger mandate. PIF’s educational outreach program includes such events as Youth, Camera, Action, as well as individual school programs, and Best-of-PIF national screenings throughout the year.
PLANET IN FOCUS: International Environmental Film & Video Festival
September 28 - October 2, 2005
Tickets: 416.531.4689
Single ($10), student/senior ($8), opening night ($15), festival passes ($75)
Discounted block seats for groups available
For more information, contact:
Shelley Wine, Publicist
416.419.2111
media@planetinfocus.org
www.planetinfocus.org
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