For Immediate Release
Contact: Lea Ann Scales
Assistant Vice President
of Public Relations and Marketing
(508) 929-8018
November 7, 2011
(Worcester, Mass.) -- Worcester State University will host a pedal-powered screening of the film “Ciclovida: Lifecycle” and a question-and-answer session with the producers on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Eager Auditorium (Room 146) in the Sullivan Academic Center. The Sociology Film Series is presenting the showing as part of WSU’s theme semester titled “Worcester in the World.”
“Ciclovida: Lifecycle” is a documentary about a group of small farmers from Brazil who bicycle over 6,000 miles across the continent of South America in search of natural reproducing seeds. The characters identify as farmers, poets, musicians, and activists for ecological and social change. The film exposes the negative ramifications of large agribusiness practices on small farmers. It demonstrates that alternatives to biofuel are possible, as the main characters create significant and sustainable change using sparsely available resources.
This film has captivated audiences and earned prestigious awards and recognition. It is the 2010 winner of the Green Screen Environmental Film Festival, 2011 winner of the Byron Bay Film Festival, and the 2010 official selection of the Blue Film Festival.
“Ciclovida is an official selection because it is a film everyone should see farmer or not, and regardless of where you live. It is a road map to sustainable living in a world of worsening effects from environmental destruction and an ever lessening supply of fossil fuel,” said Mira Tweti, festival director of Blue Planet Film Festival.
The two lead filmmakers are brothers, Matt and Loren Feinstein, originally from Colrain, Massachusetts. Matt currently lives in Worcester. They have been showing “Ciclovida: Lifecycle” to audiences all around the state. Gray Harrison of Worcester Earn-A-Bike and the Northeast Organic Farming Association (Mass Chapter) will accompany them in the discussion after the viewing. Other community groups interested in sustainable environmental practices are expected to participate as well.
The Feinstein brothers head the production, music composition, post-production, and translation of “Ciclovida: Lifestyle.” Loren Feinstein is a composer and film consultant. He has worked on many educational films for the award-winning education film company, Media Education Foundation. Matt has produced many documentaries: “Work, Dignity and Social Change” and “Descubrir con Dignidad.” He is a mentor for Listen Up’s Beyond Green youth media project and has a deep involvement in various social movements.
This free and unique event is open to the public. WSU student volunteers will be asked to pedal the mobile, pedal-powered machine that will power the screening of “Ciclovida: Lifecycle.”
For more information please visit www.ciclovida.org
###