Remember when I blogged about how much I loved the film Blue Vinyl? And how I urged everyone to rush out and watch it ASAP? And then remember how I actually ordered the DVD for myself and was disappointed that it arrived inside a big plastic-wrapped plastic case inside a big cardboard box stuffed with plastic air pillows? How ironic when environmental films, especially films about plastic, come packaged in such an environmentally-unfriendly manner.
Fake Plastic Fish reader Anarres Natural Health turned me on to a different kind of DVD company. Earth Cinema Circle is a bi-monthly environmental DVD subscription service that takes its mission seriously. Each DVD contains four films, many of which have never been released commercially, which are prescreened and selected by the staff according to the company’s mission: “to educate, entertain and inspire you to make a difference.”
I signed up and am really excited to watch the latest volume, which contains two films of particular interest to me: Trashed, which follows where our garbage goes, “from the garbage man, to the transfer station, to the landfill and eventually out to sea,” and Renewal, which profiles eight faith-based environmental groups, among them my own precious Green Sangha. (The film was made before I joined Green Sangha, so I’m not in it.)
So how is Earth Cinema Circle different from other DVD companies? Check out the packaging:
Now take a closer look:
This tickles me. The only plastic is the DVD itself. Earth Cinema Circle has made a special effort to avoid any plastic packaging. If the image does not come through for you, here’s what the package says: “Our revolutionary, biodegradable DVD case features 100% recycled pulp paper tray, complete with recycled paperboard materials and soy based inks, eliminating the use of any plastic.” Right on.
Of course, the DVD itself is plastic. To me, it’s worth it. These are films we probably wouldn’t get a chance to see otherwise. The company is supporting independent filmmakers and helping to broaden our understanding of the planet and our place in/on it.
In fact, I think it’s such a great idea that I signed up for their affiliate program, which means that if you sign up by clicking on any of the links in this post or on the banner on the left sidebar, I’ll become fabulously wealthy. Because, you know, small independent environmental DVD companies are rolling in dough. I’m kidding, of course. I do get a small percentage if people sign up through this web site, and I’d love it if you did!
In other environmental film news: This Saturday night I will have the opportunity to view the new film Addicted to Plastic, which was shot in 12 countries on 5 continents, including trips to the North Pacific Gyre. The filmmaker is searching for solutions to the problems with plastic. The film is making the rounds of environmental film festivals internationally, so check the web site to see if it will be screening near you. (Anarres Natural Health beat me to this one, too!)
You Canadians seem to get all the good environmental films before we do. But I was able to obtain a DVD copy of the CBC documentary, Forever Plastic, by asking nicely. (It’s only viewable online from within Canada.) So I’m looking forward to watching this one in the next few days and reporting on both plastics films next week.
