Screening with closed captions on April 28 and open captions on April 29
Cortes Island is a coastal paradise in British Columbia’s Discovery Islands archipelago. Its abundant ecosystem is a breeding ground for magnificent oysters whose stone-like shells are shaped by tidal currents. These living fossils take years to reach maturity; meanwhile, their environment is changing faster than they can adapt. Following a small group of farmers and scientists, this 35mm essay takes a deep dive into the life cycle of these seemingly sedentary organisms, using them as a gateway to understanding the aquatic impacts of ocean warming and acidification due to climate change. Navigating the tides and the moon, and embracing stillness as scenes are slowly exposed, a true sense of space and time emerges on the screen as farmers collect shells on the shore and draw up their lines on their modest vessels. Blending macro- and micro-modes of observation, this meditative exploration of small-scale aquaculture and its intersection with scientific study yields a truly immersive cinematic experience. Alexander Rogalski
Screening with: