LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Sustainable Lafayette Summer Film Series Kicks Off Tuesday, July 12


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Sustainable Lafayette will be hosting its sixth annual summer film series at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, featuring recently released documentaries and short films. This year's film selections focus on clean energy, land preservation, East Bay trail restoration, the Grand Canyon, bicycle travel, and sustainable ranching. The series opens on July 12, continues on July 26 and concludes on August 2. All movies will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the Lafayette library, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette.

The films are as follows:

"Catching the Sun" - Tuesday, July 12

An unemployed American worker, a Tea Party activist, and a Chinese solar entrepreneur race to lead the clean energy future. But who wins and who loses the battle for power in the 21st century? Through the stories of workers and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and China, "Catching the Sun" captures the global race to lead the clean energy future. Their successes and failures speak to one of the biggest questions of our time: will the U.S. actually be able to build a clean energy economy?

Actor/activist Mark Ruffalo says this about the film: "An eye-opening look at workers and entrepreneurs on the forefront of the clean energy movement that will transform and enliven the way you see the future. What is clear is the wonderful opportunity the transition to clean energy represents." (75 minutes)

"Rebels with a Cause" - Tuesday, July 26

This is the story of a regional California effort that grew into an astonishing system of fourteen National Seashores - the result of garden clubs, ranchers, farmers, conservationists, politicians from both parties, widows, and volunteers working together through compromise and negotiation, with the American public coming up as the winner.

It's a fascinating example of a hard fought campaign to preserve something important to all of us - our public land. And it is a powerful tool to illustrate that the personal is political, and the local is global. "Rebels" is a feel-good cinematic experience that conveys an inspiring truth about how ordinary individuals have the power to change the rules. (74 minutes)

Four Short Films - Tuesday, August 2

"Trailhead" - A documentary film project from OaklandTrails.org about the magnificent trail system that covers most of the East Bay. (20 minutes)

"Martin's Boat" - Martin believed the best way for people to understand the importance of preserving the Grand Canyon was to have them experience this secret world from the river - but not in just any boat. (24 minutes)

"Comes with Baggage" - A lighthearted history of bicycle travel in the Americas that makes you want to sell your possessions, quit your job and escape on a bike. (18 minutes)

"Soil Carbon Cowboys" - These ranchers have learned how to regenerate their soils while making their animals healthier and their operations more profitable. (13 minutes)

A $10 donation is requested, with $5 for students. Cookies, snacks, coffee and beverages will be served.

Visit www.sustainablelafayette.org for more information.