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International Workshop
Nature and environment are popular media subjects, and have been for several years now. Increasingly, film makers are championing ecological causes. On April 14-15, 1992, Development Alternatives and Max Mueller Bhawan hosted a workshop, "Environmental Work Through the Media," in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment and the India International Centre at IIC. The main objective of this workshop was to bring film makers, media journalists, social workers and teachers to a common platform to deal more effectively with issues related to environment and development. Mr. Willy Meyer Schalk, renowned journalist and media expert from the Okomedia Institute, Germany, conducted the workshop. A wide range of issues were discussed, ranging form media’s role in environmental concerns, filmic approach to controversial issues, and the debate over ecology vs. economics. A number of participants identified the need for films in regional languages to more effectively spread the message around the country. Twenty ecological films from India and Germany were screened and discussed with the film makers. Some of the highlights were Silent Poison (a film on industrial waste), Bhopal Genocide (about the Bhopal gas tragedy), 18 Years After (on North Sea Pollution), Bishnois (about an environment – friendly community) and Marie, the Enchantress (a children’s film on everyday ecology). On the first day of the workshop, Mr. Meyer-Shalk gave a presentation on the Okomedia Institute and its work. The Institute is a non-profit organisation founded in 1984. Every year it organises the International Ecological Film Festival and also publishes the Ecological Media Catalogue. Following the introduction to Okomedia, Mr. Meyer-Shalk gave a talk on ecological work in the media in Germany, and showed excerpts of films from his country. Development Alternatives and Max Mueller Bhawan will be organising similar workshops and film festivals on environmental and development issues in the media. Screening of documentaries and films will follow as a regular feature. The workshop provide a free flow of information and sharing of ideas and experiences between film makers, journalists and social activists. They also discussed the major problems in addressing environmental and other controversial issues via mass media. by Vijay Sharma Marie, the Enchantress Marie and her grandfather share a secret: they do magic. If they wish for something hard enough, it will happen. Yes, somehow it will come true – they just have to pinch their noses! The way in which it will happen, however, is beyond their scope of influence. This can make for surprises, or for broken crockery. Or for an elephant suddenly standing in front of the door, stopping Marie from going to school. Who likes going to school, after all? So, she simply pinches her nose and wishes as hard as she can that she won’t have to go to school. In the same miraculous way a bank robber is caught – in virtually the bank robber is caught – in virtually the twinkling of an eye – this time because granddad pinched his nose. These and may other bizarre things happen in the children’s film Marie, the Enchantress. In the film we are miles away in fairly land and, at the same time, right in the midst of everyday life, with the usual worries, jobs and errands to be done. The eccentric grandfather with his beret and particularly kind eyes is actually a dedicated environmentalist. He thinks and builds contrivances, and builds contrivances and thinks, all with a view to making his garden and household as compatible as possible with nature. He collects rainwater and used household water, fertiliser without chemicals, employs the tricks of the biological gardener to combat lice, saves energy and enjoys life to the full. And Marie learns all the tricks from him, everything that is important in the house and garden. Of course she separates different types of refuse. She knows how the earthworms work in the compost heap and always buys returnable bottles. She can’t stand the smell of the stinging nettle brew that grandpa makes, though. This delightful film is for kids of all ages, and shows positive steps that can be taken around the house to help protect the environment, without indulging in any preaching. by Radhika Ranjan
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