Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Time: 6:45pm

Living Downstream, a new documentary film that has met with sold-out shows across the continent, standing ovations in major centers from Boston to Toronto, and rave reviews in media outlets such as The Washington Post, will be screened in Cobourg on Tuesday, February 22nd, 6:45 PM at the Cobourg Public Library. The film Director Chanda Chevannes will be attending the showing.

“Cancer has touched many of us and our families, including myself,” says local film organizer and Cobourg resident Judy Newman. “There are many causes of cancer, but one of the biggest is the toxins we are taking into our bodies. This doesn’t need to happen, but it will continue unless we speak out.”

Health critic for the Green Party of Ontario, Judy Smith Torrie, added, “The widespread use of synthetic toxic chemicals and metals since the 1940s has resulted in the contamination of the environment. We know that these chemicals are harmful to humans and nature. We need to take seriously the threat they impose and move quickly to eliminate them from our diet, air, households, workplaces, and drinking water.”

Living Downstream is directed by Chanda Chevannes of The People’s Picture Company (The PPC). “The film follows Sandra, who is on a journey,” says Chanda, “but the chemicals against which she is fighting are also on the move. We follow these invisible toxins as they migrate to some of the most beautiful places in North America. We see how these chemicals enter our bodies, and how, once inside, scientists believe they may be working to cause cancer.”

Living Downstream charts the life and work of biologist, author, cancer survivor, and cancer prevention advocate, Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. This documentary film is based on Sandra’s book of the same name, and, like the book, documents the growing body of scientific evidence that links human health with the health of our environment. Part scientific exploration, part personal journey, the film follows Sandra during a pivotal year in her life: as a biologist and author, speaking to groups across North America about cancer prevention; and as a cancer survivor, when she receives ambiguous results from a cancer screening test. The film captures this movement between the scientific and the personal, which is also a hallmark of Sandra’s work.

Critics have repeatedly commented on the visual beauty of the film and its poetic persuasiveness. “Handsomely photographed and powerfully argued…an arresting portrait,” says Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post (04/23/10).

The screening is being hosted by a number of local organizations and businesses including Sustainable Cobourg, Cobourg Health Food Store, and the Northumberland-Quinte West Green Party. Books and silent auction items will be for sale. All profits will be donated to the charitable organization Prevent Cancer Now.