Vancouver filmmakers Zack Embree, Devyn Brugge and Jack Lall have been on the frontlines of the fight against Kinder Morgan’s pipeline expansion, capturing all the action on camera for an upcoming 22-minute film called Directly Affected. Embree will be at Burnaby’s SFU campus on Wednesday, Jan. 14 for a screening of the film at 7 p.m. in the Images Theatre. The event is a partnership with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. There will also be a panel discussion featuring Andrew Weaver, Mark Jaccard, Lynne Quarmby, Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan Expansion and Raincoast biologist MIsty MacDuffee.
Jennifer Moreau: What inspired you to take on this project?
Zack Embree: For the last few years, I have been chronicling a growing movement that is concerned about the impacts of climate change and the fossil fuel industry on communities, the economy and the environment. The Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion proposal is a perfect example of these concerns.
JM: The film takes an oppositional stance against Kinder Morgan’s pipeline project. Why?
ZE: On a local level, this project represents minuscule benefit and catastrophic risk for the B.C. economy and environment. On a national level, we can see from the recent downturn in oil prices that hinging our national economy on a volatile resource like oil is risky business. And on a planetary level, Canada’s reputation is becoming tarnished with our lack of leadership when it comes to responding responsibly to the realities of climate change.
JM: Can you give us some prominent names featured in the film?
ZE: The film features some incredible interviews with many prominent local people: Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, MP Kennedy Stewart, economist Robyn Allan, SFU professor Mark Jaccard, UBC professor Rashid Sumaila, Burnaby resident Mary Hatch and SFU professor Lynne Quarmby.
JM: What are some obstacles you are facing while making the film? You’ve mentioned some people won’t talk to you.
ZE: One obstacle has been our lack of resources to respond to the overwhelming interest from people who want to contribute their story to this film. Another obstacle has been in finding pro-pipeline perspectives to appear in the film. Our team has repeatedly contacted both Kinder Morgan and the National Energy Board with interview requests; each time our requests have been declined.
JM: You were filming on Burnaby Mountain during an intense and emotional 10-day standoff with Kinder Morgan and police. What was the most powerful scene for you?
ZE: It would have to be the day that Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Amy George of Tsleil-Waututh First Nation hiked down the steep and muddy trail to cross the police line at Kinder Morgan’s bore hole site on the west side of the mountain. For many people, it was galling to see tax dollars paying for a massive RCMP deployment to protect the interests of a Texas-based oil company. However, on the day Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Amy George crossed the line, there was a fierce humanity and deep respect on display; it emerged on both sides of the line. It was really powerful to be there.
JM: What do you hope the audience takes away from your film?
ZE: I would like people to talk more about this issue. Write letters to the editor, to your MP, talk to your neighbours and get connected with people who are taking action.
A year ago, this project was considered a sure bet by government and industry, and today it’s on increasingly shaky ground.
I think that our community and Canada can do better than exploit this dangerous form of energy.
There is no good reason to risk the health of our economy, environment and future for a handful of jobs, a pittance in tax royalties and the short-term profits of a multibillion-dollar energy giant.
For updates on the project and a related web series, search for Directly Affected on Facebook.
