Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Matthieu Rytz
Matthieu Rytz intimately chronicles the consequences of climate change on a disappearing island nation.
Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition
Country:
Canada
Special Program:
The New Climate
Sundance Program Description:
What happens when your nation is swallowed by the sea? With the harsh realities of climate change looming, the low-lying Pacific nation Kiribati must find a new solution for the survival of its people. With sweeping cinematography, ANOTE’S ARK interweaves two poignant stories. Anote Tong, endearing president of the island, races to find options – advocating in international climate negotiations and even investigating building underwater cities. At the same time, warm and sharp-witted Sermary, a young mother of six, tackles every struggle with humour. She must decide whether to leave the only culture she knows on the island and migrate to a new life in New Zealand.
First-time filmmaker Matthieu Rytz sharply captures the next evolution in the shifting dynamics of climate change – one where borders, technology, and global treaties are urgent and can change daily life as we know it. This portrait of the Kiribati people exudes strength of character and grace as they confront the inevitable change they are facing head on.
Some Background:
Director/Producer:
The Swiss-born Montreal visual anthropologist promotes advocacy via his long-term photographic projects chronicling social and environmental changes around the world. This is his first documentary feature.
Executive Producer/Editor:
Past Sundance docs:
TOKYO IDOLS (2017)
CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT (2012)
LAST TRAIN HOME (2010, executive producer/producer)
UP THE YANGTZE (2008, producer)
The Emmy- and Genie Award-winning Aung-Thwin is one of the founders of the acclaimed Montreal documentary production company EyeSteelFilm.
Executive Producers:
Past Sundance docs:
TOKYO IDOLS (producer)
CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT (producer)
LAST TRAIN HOME (co-producer)
Moore is the Emmy-winning co-president of EyeSteelFilm.
Past Sundance docs:
TOKYO IDOLS
CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT
LAST TRAIN HOME (executive producer/producer)
UP THE YANGTZE
Cross is a co-founder of EyeSteelFilm, through which he has also won Emmy and Genie Awards.
Past Sundance docs:
CHASING CORAL (2017, associate producer)
Plummer’s Code Blue Foundation supports projects which draw attention to ocean and watershed ecosystems.
Past Sundance docs:
CHASING CORAL (associate producer)
Joy serves as the director of The Joy Foundation, which focuses on the protection of marine ecosystems and their biodiversity.
Editor:
This marks Khintirian’s first Sundance project.
Why You Should Watch:
Rytz wisely grounds his study through two primary figures, representing, on one hand, the leadership of Kiribati and its attempts to seek an international solution, and, on the other, a ground-level perspective of the ordinary citizenry, forced to contend with an impending upheaval. The film is part of Sundance’s environmentally-themed programming strand, The New Climate.
For Sundance screening dates and times, click the film title in the first paragraph.
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