Chernushenko hopes film sparks debate.
After premiering late last year, a documentary directed by David Chernushenko will be among those screened at a festival in Toronto next month.
File photo
A documentary by an Ottawa city councillor about the state
of energy policy in Ontario will be among the films screened at a Toronto
festival next month.
Capital Coun. David Chernushenko’s film Powerful: Energy for Everyone will be shown for the first time in Toronto
at the 2011 Planet in Focus Film Festival, where it will be screened along with
other several shorter films that look at the role of nuclear energy in the
future.
Powerful: Energy for
Everyone makes the argument for public policies that not only make energy
production more democratic, but stand to make democracy more energetic.
“This being one of the world’s biggest environmental film
festivals, it is exciting to have my family be one of the feature attractions,”
said Chernushenko, who co-produced and directed the film. He built the film
around his personal journey as a frustrated Ottawa resident trying to connect
to the grid and get paid for the energy produced by his solar panels and the
Ontario government’s journey to develop its Green Energy and Economy Act
between 2008 and 2009.
The documentary was made to get people thinking about “how
much energy we use, where it comes from, could we do better, could we use clean
energy or renewable energy,” Chernushenko said.
The film shows how allowing the individuals and small groups
to become producers of renewable energy can lead to stronger communities, a new
source of employment and a healthier environment.
“It is a great catalyst for public discussions,” said
Chernushenko.
He said he made sure it is a fun watching experience for the
viewers.
“The fact that we were able to get some humour and some
liveliness in it, was an enjoyable experience for me and I am glad it is
resonating with the viewers as well.”
The film’s co-producer, Old Ottawa South resident Michael
Dobbin, said he was pleased that it is finally getting in front of audiences in
Toronto.
“I think it is the right place to do it,” he said.
He said the film offers provocative and uplifting perspectives
on society’s energy choices, making it even more important with the provincial
election around the corner.
“I think the film without being political, it does really
point out that the Energy Act has been one of the most progressive pieces of legislation
in the world,” said Dobbin.
“It also deals with how the big energy lobby continues to
undermine the facts and figures about how renewable energy actually is quite a
good economic generator.”
Filmed last year prior to Chernushenko’s election to city
council, it premiered in Ottawa last fall.
Dobbin said the response from the public so far has been
very good.
“People are starting to turn up in great numbers and our
screenings are followed by debates that are quite well received by audiences,”
he said. “It is more than just a film for a passive watcher, it really does
seem to inspire people and get them talking.”
Capital Coun. David Chernushenko’s film Powerful: Energy for Everyone will be shown for the first time in Toronto at the 2011 Planet in Focus Film Festival, where it will be screened along with other several shorter films that look at the role of nuclear energy in the future.
Powerful: Energy for Everyone makes the argument for public policies that not only make energy production more democratic, but stand to make democracy more energetic.
“This being one of the world’s biggest environmental film festivals, it is exciting to have my family be one of the feature attractions,” said Chernushenko, who co-produced and directed the film. He built the film around his personal journey as a frustrated Ottawa resident trying to connect to the grid and get paid for the energy produced by his solar panels and the Ontario government’s journey to develop its Green Energy and Economy Act between 2008 and 2009.
The documentary was made to get people thinking about “how much energy we use, where it comes from, could we do better, could we use clean energy or renewable energy,” Chernushenko said.
The film shows how allowing the individuals and small groups to become producers of renewable energy can lead to stronger communities, a new source of employment and a healthier environment.
“It is a great catalyst for public discussions,” said Chernushenko.
He said he made sure it is a fun watching experience for the viewers.
“The fact that we were able to get some humour and some liveliness in it, was an enjoyable experience for me and I am glad it is resonating with the viewers as well.”
The film’s co-producer, Old Ottawa South resident Michael Dobbin, said he was pleased that it is finally getting in front of audiences in Toronto.
“I think it is the right place to do it,” he said.
He said the film offers provocative and uplifting perspectives on society’s energy choices, making it even more important with the provincial election around the corner.
“I think the film without being political, it does really point out that the Energy Act has been one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in the world,” said Dobbin.
“It also deals with how the big energy lobby continues to undermine the facts and figures about how renewable energy actually is quite a good economic generator.”
Filmed last year prior to Chernushenko’s election to city council, it premiered in Ottawa last fall.
Dobbin said the response from the public so far has been very good.
“People are starting to turn up in great numbers and our screenings are followed by debates that are quite well received by audiences,” he said. “It is more than just a film for a passive watcher, it really does seem to inspire people and get them talking.”