[Lapg] South Central Farm Film Screening March 8 at 12:30 pm

[Lois Arkin]

SCREENING AT PALISADES FILM FESTIVAL: SOUTH CENTRAL FARM:  OASIS IN A 
CONCRETE DESERT

Saturday, March 8, 12:30 PM
PALISADES THEATER
PALISADES FILM FESTIVAL
941 Temescal Canyon Blvd, south of Sunset, Pacific Palisades, CA  90272
Tickets: $10
Filmmakers Laffey and Pepos, as well as farm leader Tezozomoc, veteran 
treesitter John Quigley in attendance. Waiting to hear from Haskell Wexler.
In an hour long program of three shorts including one on e-waste and 
Sundance film on tolerance, followed by Q&A.    There is a new 85 acre 
site where farming is continuing, so come and learn about how these 
people have not given up!

A film directed by Sheila Laffey,      Produced by Sheila A. Laffey & 
Geoffrey Pepos
Editor: Geoffrey  Pepos     Assistant director: Jeff Forster
Executive Producers:  Jodie Evans, Sheila Laffey
Additional footage by Daryl Hannah, Haskelll Wexler and Michael Kuehnert

Featuring Daryl Hannah, John Quigley, Tezozomoc, Julia Butterfly Hill, 
Rufina Juarez, Martin Sheen, Willie Nelson, KPFK host Lila Garrett,
Joan Baez, Tom Morello, Rosa Perez, Marion Nestle ("Politics of Food") 
and a rare interview with developer

info: www.envirofilms.com   310-453-4272    email: 
echoprod at roadrunner.com
festival info:  http://www.friendsoffilm.com

This film premiered at AFI Fest at the Arclight and is airing on PBS 
series, NATURAL HEROES (already aired in LA)

DESCRIPTION:
This film and the controversy it depicts highlights the importance of 
urban gardens that are springing up all across the county, and their 
role in community revitalization. Dramatic footage of the events leading 
up to and after the destruction of the farm includes interviews with 
community members, land use experts, and a variety of grassroots and 
celebrity supporters. The film examines the environmental, health and 
social advantages of urban farms, their  ability to create safe, 
sustainable environments for families, and produce nutritious and 
plentiful food sources to inner city communities in greatest need, as 
well as to many visitors. Social and cultural benefits shown include 
multi-generational and ethnic dynamics, spontaneous learning situations, 
free child care, mentoring and fostering of indiginous  values of the 
commons and land stewardship. Environmental benefits include 
diversification of the seed bank, re-charging of the local aquifer, less 
urban run off and cleaner air.

The film focuses on people growing their own source of food at the farm, 
as well as  celebrity tree sitters such as Daryl Hannah, Joan Baez and 
Julia Butterfly Hill, and other supporters such as Martin Sheen, Joan 
Baez and Willie Nelson who brought international attention to the issue. 
  Farm leaders include Rufina Juarez, Tezozomac and Rosa Romero.  KPFK 
host Lila Garrett, head of a committee dealing with race issues at the 
farm, speaks movingly at a press conference.  Others interviewees 
include Green Party leader and former Santa Monica Mayor, Mike 
Feinstein, on roller blades during a colorful farm parade in Santa 
Monica and  Don White, human rights spokesperson, and Marion Nestle, 
author of "Politics of Food."