Award winning documentary continues to provoke thoughtful discussion

By Heather Leschied, Program Manager, Wildsight
David Lavallee’s film, White Water, Black Gold, has received a myriad of distinctions, including the John Muir Award at the Yosemite Film Festival, Best Canadian Film at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, and has made selections for the Banff Mountain Film Festival and most recently the Tyrolean International Film Festival in Innsbruck, Austria.

I remember when I first met David. It was at Pat and Baiba Morrow’s home in Wilmer, BC. As a young, first time film-maker, the Morrow’s saw in David the same energy and passion that has propelled their own film and photographic adventures. This ever humble team has claimed the first ascent of the seven summits, for which Pat received the Order of Canada.   And since my initial meeting with David, Wildsight has worked to spread the message of White Water, Black Gold and hosted the first public screening of the film in our small community theatre, the Toby Theatre in Invermere, BC.
With increasing distribution of the film and all of the attention and awards, David sparks a deep discussion wherever he goes. Questions often lead to more questions and in his search for uncovering the answers, David has embarked on his second film project – To the Ends of the Earth. Keep your eyes, ears and minds open for this film, which looks at energy mining practices across North America. From the Boreal Forest, to the Arctic Ocean and the Utah Desert in between, we have moved beyond “easy oil”, moved beyond “our grandfather’s oil”. Now what?
The following questions are real questions, asked by audience members throughout David’s travels, and they’re intended to fuel a national dialogue about the “world’s thirstiest oil industry.”
 
1. What is your understanding of the term “ethical oil”?
2. What are your expectations for monitoring and reporting on the activities in the oil sands?
3. What does the future look like with, and without, oil?
4. How do you think the world views Canada’s oil sands development?
5. How do you feel about foreign investment in Canada’s oil sands? What level of regulation is appropriate for multinational corporations working in the oil sands?
6. What is the most effective way for Canadians to voice their opinion on the oil sands?
White Water, Black Gold airs on Wednesday March 20 at 10:00 p.m. on TVO.