Event

Symphony of the Soil

In Person: Filmmaker DEBORAH KOONS GARCIA
In her new movie, Deborah Koons Garcia (The Future of Food) explores the complexity and mystery
of soil. Filmed on four continents and sharing the voices of some of the world's most esteemed
soil scientists, farmers and activists, the film portrays soil as a protagonist of our planetary story. Using
a captivating mix of art and science, the film shows that soil is a complex living organism, the foundation
of life on earth. Yet most people are soil-blind and "treat soil like dirt." Through the knowledge
and wisdom revealed in this film, we can come to respect, even revere, this miraculous substance,
and appreciate that treating the soil right can help solve some of our most pressing environmental
problems. Drawing from ancient knowledge and cutting edge science, Symphony of the Soil is an artistic exploration of the miraculous substance soil. By understanding the elaborate relationships and mutuality between soil, water, the atmosphere, plants and animals, we come to appreciate the complex and dynamic nature of this precious resource. The film also examines our human relationship with soil, the use and misuse of soil in agriculture, deforestation and development, and the latest scientific research on soil's key role in ameliorating the most challenging environmental issues of our time. Filmed on four continents, featuring esteemed scientists and working farmers and ranchers, Symphony of the Soil is an intriguing presentation that highlights possibilities of healthy soil creating healthy plants creating healthy humans living on a healthy planet.
USA, 2012, 104 min., color, DCP / Director-Writer: Deborah Koons Garcia / With: Ignacio Chapela, Bill McKibben, Helmy Abouleish, Ibrahim Abouleish, John Aeschliman, Jack Algiere, Dan Barber, Charles Benbrook, Viraj Beri, Bob Cannard, Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Oliver Chadwick, Jaspal Singh Chattha, I.M. Chhibba, Philippe Coderey, Laurie Drinkwater, Umendra Dutt