There Once was an Island: te henua e nnoho 2011
Distributed by New Day Films, 190 Route 17M, P.O. Box 1084, Harriman, NY 10926; 888-367-9154 or 845-774-7051
Produced by Lyn Collie, On the Level Productions
Directed by Briar March
DVD, color, 82 min.
Sr. High - General Adult
South Asian Studies, Biography, Environmental Studies, Science
Date Entered: 02/15/2012
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Dean of Library Services, Valparaiso UniversityThis film is a detailed examination of a tiny atoll community in the south western Pacific Ocean named Takuu, which is on the front lines of climate change and environmental damage, as their atoll experiences devastating rip tides on a continual basis. It is quickly becoming apparent that the atoll itself will soon be taken over by the ocean. The film, four years in the making, follows three inhabitants of the island, as they struggle to make decisions regarding their future. No one is offering to help and no help is available. It is a touching story for which there are no answers. The film captures both the beauty of the atoll alongside the imminent and dangerous future of the inhabitants. A haunting film that may serve as a prelude for other Pacific islands in the near future, and their challenges related to world-wide climate change events.