Homo Toxicus – Oct.21, 2009
Awareness Film Night will kick off its 16th season on October 21 with the film “Homo Toxicus”.
Every day tons of chemicals are released into the environment without anyone ever knowing how toxic they are in the long term to living organisms. In a hard-hitting investigation carried out with intelligence and humour, Canadian director Carole Poliquin has her own blood tested and then explores the winding trail blazed by her alarming results. Her findings strongly challenge our chemical-laden way of life. She examines the lack of proper testing of the 100,000 molecules developed since World War II that are found in products we use daily and discovers that up to 247 toxic substances have been found in newborns. From the astounding health concerns in Canadian communities situated in heavily industrialized areas to hermaphrodite fish, this film investigates the links between these toxic substances and rising health problems such as cancer, asthma, hyperactivity, infertility and other gender concerns. Interviews with Health Canada whistleblowers and a compelling array of health researchers open Ms. Poliquin’s and the filmgoers’ eyes to the serious nature of our chemicallized world. The viewer will come away with a sense of what products we need to avoid in order to decrease our toxin burden and that of future generations. Moviegoers are encouraged to stay after the film to discuss ideas on how best to live without many of these toxic chemicals and any other topics brought forward by the film.
Awareness Film Night has been showing monthly films on topics normally disregarded by the mainstream media since 1994. The library of previously screened films is available for public borrowing at Video To Go. “Homo Toxicus” will be shown in the Edward Milne Community School theatre at 7:00. Admission is by donation.
