Grab your free ticket to see a newly released feature film, ‘The Story of Plastic’. The film premiered on the Discovery Channel on Earth Day in April, and now there’s a chance for Cumbrians to watch it free of charge through an online community screening by Penrith Action for Community Transition (PACT).
“This film is a must-see for anyone who enjoyed David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 2 series, diving a lot deeper into the problem that we now have globally with disposable plastic,” said John Bodger, chair of PACT, which is also hosting an online discussion about the film and local activity on 21 May.
“It charts our love affair with this ‘wonder’ material, which transformed the way we make and buy so many products, but which ultimately has proven to be disastrous for our environment. The film doesn’t pull any punches in showing the scale of the problem of plastic pollution and some of the forces that have driven it, but it also highlights some of the amazing efforts around the world to try to stop it and reverse some of the damage that’s been done. In that regard, the film is as inspiring as it shocking.”
The film’s 95 minutes of stunning and stark footage spans three continents, illustrating the impact of plastic pollution, from fields of garbage to rivers and seas clogged with waste and skies choked with the poisonous emissions from plastic production and processing.
It features interviews with experts and activists, revealing the consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world, as well as engaging original animation, archival industry footage, and first-person accounts of the unfolding emergency.
“We might think the issue of plastic is being resolved, given all the attention it’s had in the media and all the pledges by supermarkets and manufacturers, but the sad truth is that UK supermarkets pumped out more plastic than ever in 2019 according to Greenpeace research – a massive 900,000 tonnes,” John said. “It’s abundantly clear that we must all keep up the pressure, and this film is a very engaging and stark reminder of the consequences if we don’t.”
The team behind the film is the Story of Stuff Project, a non-profit organisation dedicated to changing the way that we make, use and throw away stuff, so that it is more sustainable, healthy and fair.
Jaki Bell, PACT’s communications officer, added: “Although we can’t come together in person to watch the film, it’s fantastic that the makers are offering us the opportunity to screen it online for our community, especially at a point in the lockdown when people’s film queues are probably getting a bit low!”
PACT’s virtual Q&A on the evening of 21 May is a chance to talk about the issues raised in the film and what the community can do locally to tackle plastic pollution. It’s also a chance to hear about things happening in and around Penrith to reduce disposable plastic. There will be brief updates from Councillor Doug Lawson, Penrith Town Council, on the Plastic Clever Penrith initiative and what it aims to achieve; from Amy Bray on the work of the Another Way environmental charity, and from the local business community about their efforts to reduce plastic.
To register for a free film pass, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-story-of-plastic-online-screening-by-pact-tickets-103624076402. The link expires after the Q&A.
Everyone who registers to watch the film will also receive a link to the online discussion.
