Sustainable Practices Film Series Heads Into Eighth Year: Monthly Documentary Films Begin In February

Seven newly released independent films are on tap in Sustainable Practice's ongoing Sustainability Film Series, beginning Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Chatham Orpheum Theater. 

Included in the mix are the story of nonviolent activist George Lakey, a retelling of the Salem witch trials, a focus on threatened indigenous water activists, a spotlight on the health consequences of plastics, an examination of the firestorm around vaccines, and a first-hand look at homelessness.

 According to Madhavi Venkatesan, the founder and executive director of Sustainable Practices, the series vividly focuses on "social justice, environmental justice, and economic equity themes." 

 Scheduled are “Citizen George” (Feb. 1); “A Witch Story” (March 1); “Water for Life” (April 5); “Virulent” (May 3); and “A Rising Tide” (June 7), co-sponsored with the Housing Assistance Corporation. All films screen at 9:30 a.m.

 A seventh film, “A Single Use Planet,” will be shown on April 17 at 6 p.m. This film is especially significant, Venkatesan said, because it shows that convenience products like single-use plastics have a very short use life and a "long and toxic disposal life. It makes no sense," she added. "There is tremendous waste for such short use. Our economic system depends on constantly producing more, focusing on single-use items and planned obsolescence." 

 Sustainable Practices relies on the revenue from the film series to support its work, Venkatesan said. 

"It is a principal revenue generator, and we are hoping for a big turnout," she said. Sustainable Practices is also actively seeking co-sponsors for these films. 

 People sometimes misunderstand the mission of Sustainable Practices, believing it to be focused on simply banning plastic bottles, she said. While banning plastic bottles can help reduce carbon in the atmosphere, the real goal is reducing consumption, or "conscious consumption for long-term sustainability" as stated on the group's website. "All of these films highlight that core issue," she said.

 Each of the films was produced within the past year or so, according to Venkatesan, and all are new to the Sustainable Practices film series, which is now in its eighth year. A discussion or panel and talk-back are usually included after each film. 

 In addition to the group's sponsorship of the film series, there are several other initiatives underway to support the Cape-wide reuse program, Venkatesan said. They include advocating for elimination of single-use plastic takeout containers in all food establishments and disposable food containers in restaurants where seating is provided. "Even if these are compostable, they are still single use," she noted.

 Another initiative involves echoing the recent call by the Surgeon General related to warning statements on alcohol. Sustainable Practices is also beginning to lobby the Massachusetts state government to include a warning on plastic items used in food preparation and consumption. 

"Plastic has been promoted as a disposal issue rather than a health issue," she said, adding that plastic is affected by heat and leaches harmful chemicals in the process. More information on the group and its initiatives is available at www.sustainablepracticesltd.org.

 The Sustainable Practices Sustainability Film Series is co-sponsored by the Chatham Orpheum Theater. Tickets can be purchased at www.chathamorpheum.org or at the Chatham Orpheum Theater box office.