Community Corner
Four Rivers Film Fest Probes Environmental Justice Issues
'The Falconer' and 'Mardi and the Whites' will be shown during a One Earth Film Festival at Four Rivers on Friday, March 10.
Two environmental justice movies focused on "equity and inclusion" will be shown during a One Earth Film Festival at Four Rivers Environmental Education Centerin Channahon on Friday, March 10.
Four Rivers will screen “The Falconer” and the short film “Mardi and the Whites” from 6-9 p.m. To attend the film fest, register with the One Earth Collective by Friday, March 10.
“The movies are about crushing stereotypes and creating fully welcoming spaces for all people,” said Jess McQuown, a program coordinator at Four Rivers. “That idea really struck a chord with Four Rivers’ staff as we moved toward making sure our facility is a welcoming space for everyone. We really want to highlight that nature is for everybody.”
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“The Falconer” is a documentary that follows master falconer Rodney Stotts on his mission to build a bird sanctuary and provide access to nature for his stressed community. This is a story of second chances: for injured birds of prey, for an abandoned plot of land, for a group of teenagers who have dropped out of high school and for Rodney himself.
The second film, “Mardi and the Whites,” tells the story of Mardi Fuller and how she’s dedicated much of her time in the last 20 years exploring the landscape in the White Mountains. Mardi summited all 48 4,000 footers multiple times, often as the only Black person on the mountain.
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Recently, she has focused on creating more opportunities for Black folks to join her in appreciating this magnificent wilderness. Enjoying this land with her community has been a liberating balm that has strengthened her sense of identity as an outdoorswoman.
After viewing the films, attendees can engage with an expert panel for a post-film discussion. Light refreshments will be available. The film festival is brought to the Forest Preserve through funding provided by The Nature Foundation of Will County.
The program at Four Rivers is part of a larger environmental film fest organized by One Earth in partnership with the City of Chicago for March 3-12. Both virtual and in-person film showings are scheduled in the greater Chicago area. The 10 movies being shown throughout the fest focus on “climate change, sustainability and the power of people.”
