Voices from the Red Island – A documentary film

Cosmos Productions has been recently granted funds by the NGO, Conservation International to make a documentary film that will give a voice to the local people of Madagascar. So we’re going back 1 year later, in August 2010!

On this project, I am collaborating with Stephen Davis (my husband) to create Voices from the Red Island, a social and environmental documentary film that captures how social and environmental issues intersect at critical points on the beautiful and fragile island of Madagascar.

Some info about the film….

The indigenous, rural people of Madagascar live in close connection to their natural environment. Their livelihoods depend on the natural world and inherently the forests and biodiversity of ‘the Red Island’ – the name coming from the colour of her fertile soil. With the current plundering of rainforests of rare hardwoods, (after a political coup that happened in February 2009 that left the country with weak rule of law), coupled with the devastation of 90% of the country’s forests for agriculture and charcoal through slash and burn practices, this natural environment is dwindling at a rapid rate. People living on the periphery of the forests are putting more and more pressure on Madagascar’s parks and reserves. At the same time, the local rural people experience climate changes and seasonal shifts that are happening on a global scale, as real problems. Cyclones are more intense, dry and rainy seasons are too short or too long, and crop yields are lower or entirely destroyed by extreme weather events.

For these people, climate change is already a reality, although they may not know how to name the phenomenon, they are increasingly realizing that the changes are not just an environmental issue, but also one with severe socioeconomic implications. It is a potential threat to their very existence and a major issue of human rights and equity.

This film aims to give a voice to these people.

We feel that at the interface of environmental destruction and climate change impacts, personal stories as testimonies of the adversities of climate change will move the hearts and minds of people in developed countries to redress the differences in ability to adapt and respond to the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Voices from the Red Island will demonstrate the interconnectedness of the human race; of actions, consequences and accountability.

So stay connected to our blog as we’ll be bringing you more updated info as we progress!

Jacqueline