The film opens with an abstract shadow moving across the surface of an ocean. We quickly realize that it belongs to a cargo plane soaring like a steel raptor towards the country of Tanzania, its empty belly to soon be filled by it’s bounty

The narrative begins with focus on a giant fish, the Nile Perch that has taken over the central African great lakes, a result of a single deposit made by a lone individual some 25 years earlier. This phenomenon has created an international fishing industry, while also decimating the native fish population. One is initially led to believe that the Darwinian nightmare the filmmaker Hubert Sauper is alluding to, is regarding evolutionary biology. The genesis of this incident is never fully explained. Instead we are taken deeply into the social Darwinism embodied by the relationship between a struggling 3rd world African economy beholden to the world bank and the IMF.

Here we have a film that is part poetic essay, part cinema verite documentary on the brutal inequities of modern capitalism. The intimacy with which Saupert presents us his human subjects is the key to the film’s success in delivering this message. In fact Saupert is rarely heard from at all, there are no 3rd person voiceovers calling us to action amidst the sensational imagery of war and famine. But there are numerous heartrending portrayals of individuals, both European and African, caught in its web. The luminous, and at times, terrifiying eyes of Raphael, the night watchmen/fisherman/guide, the abandoned children of the Mwanza streets, the dreams of a prostitute who we later learn was killed by one of her pilot johns. We experience up close the humanity of a people, which begs us to question why members of our own species are condemned to live under conditions we would find intolerable through the economic systems we support.

The DVD edition features an in-depth interview with the director, and Sauper speaks eloquently about his view on the social Darwinism portrayed in his film. Darwin was absolutely correct in his observation of natural systems of selection. i.e. the survival of the fittest, but when this observation becomes a paradigm wielded by humans toward humans, the result is fascism.

If you want to be challenged, emotionally affected, educated on a personal level about the ongoing tragedy(ies) in Africa, or are a fan of the films of Chris Marker or the Maysles Brothers, then you must see Darwin’s Nightmare.

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Summer time inspires road trips. Whether you are inspired to visit national parks, friends and family, music festivals, or swimming holes, the interstates are crowded with campers and cars cruising down the highway.

In the spirit, Lucky Brand Jeans is cruising the States, from California to New York and back. The goal is to market their products at specific consumer targeted sites, events, and festivals. Lucky Brand Jeans has created a Denim Highway Bus, psychedelic tour, with the goal to see the country, visit the Boston Harbor 4th of July Festival and its own major stores. A website, soundtrack, and blog follow the tour.

This marketing strategy is interesting, and Root looks at a company that takes it further.

Guayaki Yerba Mate, a sustainable global brand, is heading to music festivals, bike races looking for like-minded businesses and consumers, and they are driving a bio-diesel bus. Educating through action, Guayaki’s desire is to represent conscious, sustainable business practices, and show how to do it. Their products are shade-grown, fair-traded and organic.

Responsible businesses inspire consumers to be aware of where a product comes and how it gets to them. Which road we decide to follow as consumers is important for the future of sustainable business practices around the world. And Guayaki is paving the road.

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Bike ride 35, 65 or 100 miles and enjoy an organic, vegan meal at the end of your ride.

A Green Event in our town that encourages nonprofit groups and small businesses to get involved by hosting rest stops. This is a great way for organizations and businesses to introduce participants to the flavor of their mission.

Founded in 2003, OrganicAthlete is a nonprofit organization that unites people in a global effort to create a better world through sport. Their mission is to promote health and ecological stewardship among athletes of all ages and abilities by sharing information, building community and inspiring through athletic example. The Tour d’Organics simultaneously promotes their educational mission, brings communities together in celebration of health and the environment, serves as a model for how athletic events can be ecologically sustainable, and generates a revenue base from which to further the mission.

The Tour d’Organics is a great way to explore farming communities and meet the people who grow your food. For rest-stop refreshments and post-ride meals, as much local food as possible is served.

Each rest stop will be well stocked with produce from the farms and other munchies including fruit, boiled potatoes, energy bars, and nut butters from Living Tree Community Foods. The 65 and 100 mile rides include a substantial lunch. After the ride, there will be a delicious vegan meal made from locally grown produce. All food is included with registration. Massage will also be available after the ride.

Organic Athlete does everything they can to make this a green and ecologically sustainable event. Methods include: printing all printed materials on tree-free or 100% recycled paper with vegetable based inks, offering only 100% organic and plant-based food, using food containers made from compostable materials, making every effort to make the events carbon neutral and zero waste, encouraging and facilitating carpooling with Spaceshare.

Register, ride and share in the bounty of our incredible county, Sunday August 20th.

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Root Concepts is in production on a series of eight video segments for Traditional Medicinals. The segments will highlight TM’s source stories, introducing their consumers and retail customers to the connections for their herbs around the world. The first of these stories will feature the breadnut of Guatemala.

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