All in Meeting Room 301, Level 3
Urban Roots
Monday, September 23, 9:45 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, September 24, 11:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
With the collapse of the auto industry and plunging home prices, the industrial powerhouse of a lost American era has died, and the skeleton left behind is present-day Detroit. But now, against all odds in the empty lots, in the old factory yards, and in-between the sad, sagging blocks of company housing, seeds of change are taking root. A small group of dedicated citizens, allied with environmental and academic groups, have started an urban environmental movement with the potential to transform not just a city after its collapse, but also a country after the end of its industrial age.
More than 550,000 Detroit residents live in a food desert, with no access to grocery stores and fresh food; apart from the plethora of fast food restaurants, the only available food outlets are quick shops and gas stations, where the only available food is prepackaged, frozen, or canned. Produced by Leila Conners, Mark MacInnis, and Mathew Schmid, Urban Roots follows the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit as several native inhabitants came together to literally transform 40,000 vacant lots into active producing gardens (several complete with chickens, goats, ducks, and horses) that provide for their local communities.
The film explores several agricultural programs that have cropped up to solve a specific issue. Some gardens sell their produce and reinvest their profits back into the project; some make food available to any hungry neighbors who request it; some have been established to provide soup kitchens with home-grown food for healthy meals; and some provide constructive outlets for citizens in rehabilitation or needing to complete a number of hours of community service. Whatever their purpose, urban gardens have enabled Detroit's citizens to become emotionally connected with and feel rooted in their city once again.
As one commentator notes, the most profound effect of urban farming has been cultural: where for many African Americans there's always been a heavy association between agricultural labor and slavery, these gardens have enabled organizers to reframe the notion of agricultural work as an act of self-determination. People have become empowered to act on their own behalf without depending on government approval. Defeat, resignation, and anger have given way to a new sense of control over their existence and pride in accomplishment as they see, enjoy, and profit from the results of their hard work. Urban Roots is a timely, moving, and inspiring film that speaks to a nation grappling with collapsed industrial towns and the need to forge a sustainable and prosperous future.
Be sure not to miss these other amazing films:
Cape Spin! An American Power Struggle
Monday, September 23, 12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, September 24, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Cape Spin! An American Power Struggle tells the surreal, fascinating, tragicomic story of the battle over America’s most controversial clean energy project: the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound. Cape Wind would be the U.S.’s first offshore windfarm. But strange alliances have formed for and against: Kennedys, Kochs, and everyday folks do battle with the developer and green groups over the future of American power. With full access to both sides and a commitment to impartial storytelling, this new documentary by Robbie Gemmel and John Kirby sets itself up at a healthy distance from the fray. A civic farce that explores the comedy of stubbornness, Cape Spin! is “a gripping and entertaining study of eco-capitalism and grassroots democracy.”
Forces of Nature, Volume 2
Monday, September 23, 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 24, 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Forces of Nature, Volume 2, a beautiful examination of service work, profiles the inspirational grassroots work of 12 young recipients of the nation's top youth environmental prize: the Brower Youth Awards. Named after famed environmentalist David Brower, the awards recognize people ages 13 to 22 in North America who have shown outstanding leadership on a project or campaign with positive environmental and social impact. The awardees are charismatic young heroes for planet Earth, whose stories, struggles, and victories inspire people of all ages.
44 DAZE
Tuesday, September 24, 12:45 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
44 DAZE, a documentary on “managing a city crisis on a worldwide scale,” details the first 44 days from the shooting of Trayvon Martin to the arrest of admitted shooter George Zimmerman. Produced by filmmaker and retired city manager Sherry Suttles, the film focuses not on guilt or innocence, but on how Sanford city officials handled the run-up to the trial. It reveals how the city was blindsided by the explosion of public interest in the case, and what role the state's Stand Your Ground law may have played in the delay before Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder. "I wanted to know what city officials and police did, and what they didn't do," said Suttles. The film includes interviews with City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr., Senior Project Manager Andrew Thomas, and other Sanford officials and community leaders, as well as a focus on ICMA’s Code of Ethics.
New, Reduced Membership Dues
A new, reduced dues rate is available for CAOs/ACAOs, along with additional discounts for those in smaller communities, has been implemented. Learn more and be sure to join or renew today!
