Author: Elizabeth Tomaras

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Student Life

Spring ahead of the beauty game

Photo by jamelah, Flickr

Both bold and muted trends are in for spring 2014

This winter has been unbearably harsh, with last-minute snow storms and that dreaded polar vortex. But fret not, for our suffering has not gone without consideration as we will soon see a transition in weather, bringing forth warmer days. With the change in forecast comes a change in routine and I do mean beauty routine. Spring allows for fresh looks from head to toe so let’s get started.

Photo by jamelah, Flickr

Let’s take it from the top, literally. In terms of hair, thick headbands were spotted on the runways, from Balenciaga to Valentino. Both design houses adorned models’ heads with bands covered in studs and knots. Then there was Lupita Nyong’o who, on the other end of the spectrum, wore a pretty, dainty, diamond headband at the Oscars. Whether your inspiration comes from fashion week or awards night, this trend is on point so get your head in the game.

With the emergence of spring, cool girl hair — meaning I-woke-up-like-this waves — is also making its debut. Warm temperatures mean air-drying your hair becomes easier and playing with your natural texture is a departure from the structured looks we tend to go for during the colder months.

Now, it’s time to give face. All that glitters is definitely gold. Lashes, eyelids and eyebrows were gilded at Gucci and Dior and even a gold-painted part in models’ hair was spotted at Dries Van Noten. Want to add a touch of glimmer to your eyes? Urban Decay’s eyeshadow in “Half Baked” gives you the Midas touch.

An unsurprising trend was the use of a pastel palette on eyes, lips and nails. This is a more traditional way of interpreting spring, in terms of beauty, and shades of light pink, baby blue and lavender were seen on the runways of Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, and Holly Fulton, respectively.

If you prefer to play up your pout, the season’s brightest trend is orange lips. Numerous designers opted for this sunny shade which is also obvious for spring but refreshing at the same time. It is the easiest way to elevate your look, day or night. One of MAC’s best-selling shades, “Lady Danger,” is an orangey-red that flatters most complexions.

As of late, plenty of emphasis has been placed on nails — just try going through your Instagram feed without spotting a killer pair of claws. Rita Remark who works for Essie Canada and was seen painting nails backstage during Toronto Fashion Week, curated spring’s top manicures. They were demure, simple but not boring, and a departure from the crazy nail art we’ve been seeing (which she says is so 2013). Pale colours or nude polishes were forerunners, whether they were opaque or sheer, and either matte and shiny finishes completed the neutral nails.

And there you have it, folks. Designers, makeup artists and celebrities gave us a clean slate to start the upcoming season. With these trends in your beauty arsenal, you’ll be shining brighter than the extra hour of daylight.

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News

Debate: is it time to legalize it?

Image via Flickr
Image via Flickr

Student representatives from the Conservatives, New Democratic Party, Liberals and Green Party debated the hot topic of legalization of marijuana in Canada at a Concordia-hosted event last Thursday evening.

Organized by the Student Association for Voter Empowerment Concordia and the Political Science Student Association, the hour-long debate covered such topics as the current status of marijuana in Canada, each party’s agenda on the drug and the intricacies associated with its legalization and decriminalization.

“Most of us, as students, are exposed to [marijuana] on a regular basis and we think about it quite a lot,” began Erik Scanlon of Conservative Concordia. “It is a criminal offense to use or sell marijuana and it should stay that way.”

Scanlon explained that cannabis should remain legal solely for medical reasons and maintained that recreational use should be punishable by law.

“I’m going to start with a quote from Jack Layton, who said he never exhaled,” said Alex Ederer of the NDP. “That is a metaphor, ladies and gentlemen, for the NDP’s position on marijuana.” Ederer reiterated his party’s belief that no one should go to jail for marijuana-related offences and advocated its decriminalization.

Josh Arless of the Liberal Party stated that his organization would legalize the drug but enforce legislations.

“The Liberal Party of Canada will legalize marijuana and ensure the regulation, taxation of its production, distribution and use,” said Arless. “While enacting strict penalties for illegal trafficking, illegal importation, deportation and impaired driving.”

“We believe in ending the war on drugs,” said David Fostokjian of the Green Party. “If we legalize marijuana and restrict it, it will be hard to lay your hands on it because it will be sold in legitimate organizations through distribution networks.”

Fostokjian also noted his party would like to follow in the footsteps of Portugal and Holland in terms of the drug’s decriminalization, as local consumption in both these countries has decreased ever since.

Each party was confident in their stance on the issue and were well prepared with facts, suggestions and rebuttals whenever the opportunity came about.

Attendees had been asked to write down questions they had for the party members prior to the debate as the second half would be dedicated to the audience’s queries. The atmosphere in the ninth-floor auditorium was tense as back-and-forth conversations began between opponents. Moderator Nick Cuillerier had to remind representatives to keep the sarcasm to a minimum and focus on answering the questions at hand rather than taking jabs at the other parties.

SAVEC President and former editor at The Concordian, Paola Rivas, mentioned this was the first of many events to be organized in the hopes of “demystifying the political process, encouraging people to get informed and encouraging informed voters.”

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Student Life

To donate or not to donate?

The little black dress, animal print, black pumps; there are some things that simply never go out of style. However there is a new trend the fashion industry has embraced, one that is not necessarily sartorially related.

Throughout the month of October some major industries, be they fashion, sports or automobile, take on the role of leading breast cancer awareness campaigns. Anything that can be made pink or have a pink ribbon printed attached is manufactured and sent out with the company’s logo plastered on it.

“Often these types of campaigns start off with the truest intentions of simply raising awareness and raising money for the cause,” said George Dassios, marketing faculty member and part-time professor at Concordia’s John Molson School of Business. “Eventually, as the momentum builds, it becomes one of those events where, as a corporation, you have the social and moral obligation to jump on board.”

When a company is highly influential it seems only natural that they would pursue these causes.

“Certainly, if you are a big organization that is in the spotlight and is part of a community, you have a social obligation to be active in one form or another through funding or sponsoring events or creating events that would, in one way or another, make that community better,” said Dassios.

Buying a shirt from Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony campaign or that pretty bracelet from Michael Kors may make you feel like you’re doing something good, but it’s important to remain wary of where exactly your money is going once you pay.

“There’s always going to be an element or portion of the proceeds that will go to cover cost and some of the costs include [things not directly related to the cause],” explained Dassios. “To isolate it just in terms of the corporate community would be ignoring what goes on in every other organization.”

And while it is difficult to find a company which donates all of its proceeds to the fund being advertised, it is more important to watch out for organizations who are notorious for making money under the guise of fundraising.

According to “Think Before You Pink,” a Breast Cancer Action project, it was in 2010 that Dansko, a shoe company, was selling clogs with pink ribbons on them, in an effort to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation. However, it was discovered that Dansko was planning to donate $25,000 regardless of how much money was raised through clog sales, rather than give a portion of the purchases made.

These harsh realities should not dissuade you from donating money; they should inform us that there are scams out there and it is important to ask where your money is going if you do decide to donate or buy items for breast cancer awareness or research. The only sure fire way to make sure your money is going to help those with breast cancer is to donate directly to hospitals or research societies.

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Student Life

For The Love of Breasts #2 – Is the pink ribbon discriminatory?

Graphic by Jennifer Kwan

We have all come to know and love the famous pink ribbon. When October rolls around, we see it plastered everywhere and the city becomes tinted with the ‘more feminine’ shade. Although the ribbon and its colour seek to represent the majority of those affected by breast cancer, there is still a demographic few know can also be diagnosed with the disease: men.

“The way our society is today with the media always associating breast cancer with women, like using women in awareness campaigns, the pink ribbon, ‘I love boobies’ bracelets, it makes it seem that it is a cancer that can only be found in women,” said Robert-Jun Corpus, a second-year accounting major at the John Molson School of Business at Concordia.

“It’s rare,” explained Sonia Nanda, a certified genetic counsellor at the Familial Breast Cancer Research Unit at the Women’s College Research Institute in Toronto, Ontario. “But it does happen […] because men do have breast tissue.”

The reason why women are more susceptible to it than men is still unclear but Nanda was able to provide some insight.

“It might be hormones, a lot of cancers are hormone dependent as well,” she said. “Women produce a lot more hormones and then there are a lot of other things: we have children, men don’t, we menstruate, men don’t, so there’s a whole bunch of factors.”

In 2012, according to a statistic put out by the Canadian Cancer Society, “an estimated 200 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 55 will die of it.”

And while survival rates for both genders are close, men often do not pick up on the signs and end up being diagnosed too late. Though women know performing breast exams on themselves and having mammograms is essential for their bodies, how many times have you heard a man telling his friends he’s due for a breast checkup?

Compared to the number of women afflicted by the illness – 22,700 Canadian women in 2012 – it is not hard to see why breast cancer in men is put on the backburner. However, this is no excuse.

“Right now, there is almost nothing pointing towards men being able to be diagnosed with this disease, but a little awareness would promote support from both sexes,” suggested Corpus.

In an effort to raise awareness for men battling this type of cancer, Marvel Comics has teamed up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in printing eight pink-coloured limited editions of their most popular comics in order to shed some light on the topic of breast cancer in men. This is a great initiative seeing as comics might appeal to men than a pink ribbon.

While colourful awareness causes may seem like the right thing to do, considering the general population is left uninformed about breast cancer and its effects on men, it seems the money is being used to spread a message we are already very familiar with. At the end of the day, cancer doesn’t discriminate and neither should these campaigns.

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Student Life

Beauty and the bra: The facts and falsities of wearing a bra to bed

She kicks off her shoes and drops her bag on the floor. She pauses and takes in the silence. After a long day of classes – or work, perhaps – being home, she releases the weight off her shoulders, however, not entirely. She makes her way to her bedroom where she throws her pants and shirt onto the chair in the corner of the room.

She looks at herself in the mirror. Her hands reach behind her back where she undoes the clasp of her bra. She exhales a sigh of relief.

Taking your bra off at the end of the day may not be as dramatic as described above, but you have to admit it feels damn good. While some choose to free themselves, so to speak, others opt for a full-time commitment to their bras. Most notably, sleeping while wearing a bra has sparked debates, rumours, and falsities about its repercussions.

In 1995 Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer, the authors of Dressed to Kill, proposed a link between bras and breast cancer. They claimed that underwire bras constricted the lymphatic systems causing the accumulation of your body’s toxins in breast tissue.This simply is untrue.

“It’s a mutation in particular genes that can cause a woman to develop breast cancer,” explains Sonia Nanda, a certified genetic counsellor at the Familial Breast Cancer Research Unit at the Women’s College Research Institute in Toronto, Ontario. “You’re born with the mutation.”

However, that is not to say this is the only way breast cancer can occur.

“The majority of cancer is not due to genetics, they’re due to other factors,” says Nanda.

However, there has been no scientific proof either way regarding breast health and wearing a bra while you sleep.

“We know there are things that you can do to try and lower your overall cancer risk but has anything been definitively proven? I don’t really think so,” reiterates Nanda. “All physicians or all healthcare professionals in the field will say the typical things – don’t smoke, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, [and] everything in moderation.”

On the other, less deadly, hand, the ‘bra while you sleep’ theory has brought about the idea that it will improve your breasts’ appearance and prevent the irritating effects of gravity. Unfortunately, this is also false. It is none other than your microscopic ligaments that keep your breasts in place; ligaments that unfortunately stretch and weaken with age. However, working on your pectorals is a good way to strengthen the muscles in your chest, giving the appearance of a firmer and tighter, thus perkier, bust.

In the end, sleeping with a bra on is all about preference. If it is something you have always done or are accustomed to, you have no reason to stop. For those who forego wearing a bra overnight, you should not stop either. Living an unhealthy lifestyle or being born with a mutation, as Nanda mentions, may result in breast cancer. And as for the shape of your breasts, they cannot be permanently altered by wearing an item of clothing. If this was the case, Victoria’s Secret would be out of business.

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News

News in Brief

City in Brief
by Cynthia Dupuis

→ Bachand throws his hat into the race
Former Finance Minister Raymond Bachand officially announced on Friday his candidacy for the Liberal leadership race to replace Jean Charest. Before an audience of about 50 people, Bachand argued that he is the most suitable person to become leader. “We have to listen to Quebecers, put ourselves in listening mode, meet them, build consensus. We have to unite and not divide,” argued Bachand, quoted in the Montreal Gazette. Two other candidates are expected to throw their hats into the ring: former Health Minister Philippe Couillard and former Transport Minister Pierre Moreau. In a recent poll conducted by Léger Marketing, results showed that 27 per cent of Quebecers think Couillard would be the best leader for the party.

→ Death possibly linked to car defect
The Sûreté du Québec is looking into whether there was something wrong with the car an officer was driving the night she was killed in a car accident. The 23-year-old police officer, Katia Hadouchi, died after her cruiser crashed on Kildare Road last Thursday in Sainte-Ambroise-de-Kildare, north of Joliette. Police now say the Chevrolet Impala was part of a recall by General Motors that has now pulled about 100 vehicles off the road since last Wednesday. SQ collision investigators remain unsure as to whether or not speed had been a factor in the incident.

→ To pay the increase or to not pay the increase?
Concordia University sent out an email to students last Friday afternoon regarding tuition fee payments. The university announced that students who do not pay the tuition fee increase will not be charged a penalty of $75. The accounts will be adjusted only once the university is officially notified by the Government of Quebec. For now, the administration urged students to pay their tuition fees as indicated on their current student account by the deadline of Oct. 1.

→ It takes village to build a playground
Two-hundred and fifty volunteers came together Saturday to help build a playground in Little Burgundy’s Jesse Maxwell-Smith Park. Kaboom, an American-based non-profit group helped with the day-long project, which will be one among many public playgrounds in the province, built with community input and donated materials. Many hope the volunteering initiative will become a trend to redeem public parks in Quebec. The estimated cost for the new playground is $135,000. The project is predominantly funded by Foresters, a multinational insurance company with a philanthropic bent brought in by Kaboom.

– – – – –

Nation in Brief
by Cynthia Dupuis

→ Khadr returns home
Nearly a decade after he was pulled from the rubble of a bombed compound in Afghanistan, Canadian Omar Khadr, now 26, arrived on Canadian soil this Saturday after an American military flight from Guantanamo Bay. Khadr was detained for nearly ten years in the notorious prison for allegedly committing war crimes and terrorism. Under a plea agreement, Khadr was eligible a year ago to serve the remainder of his sentence in Canada. He was transferred to a maximum-security facility in eastern Ontario. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews told the National Post that the parole board will determine how many more of the six years remaining on his sentence Khadr will have to serve in Canadian custody.

→ I’ll stick to veggies
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency expanded its recall of beef packed at a plant in Brooks, Alberta after nine cases of E. coli in the province were linked to the meat. The warning is now extended to all beef products from XL Foods sold in Co-op, Metro and Wal-Mart stores across Canada. The beef processed at the plant represents a third of all the beef processed in Canada. While only four of the nine cases were linked to beef from XL Foods Inc., Alberta Health services’ investigators are still unclear about where the contamination originated from.

→ Man bites dog (yes, that’s right)
A partially nude young man was taken into custody for supposedly biting a dog in the eastern Ontario town of Pembroke. Witnesses reported the incident early last Wednesday morning, when police apprehended the man clad only in underwear and Pembroke animal control obtained the dog. The dog suffered minimal injuries and the alleged suspect was detained and later brought to a hospital under the Mental Health Act. Constable Dillon Gerundin said the reasons behind the act remain unknown but drug use may have possibly played a role.

→ September 2012 driest for Vancouver
Vancouver set a record for its driest September in 116 years, according to Environment Canada. With a total of 7.9 millimetres of precipitation for the entire month, the lowest amount since then was in 1907 when 9.4 millimetres of rain was fell during September of that year. Rainfall has been recorded in the province since 1896. According to CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe, the dry conditions were consistent throughout most of the province. Wagstaffe noted weather has changed to match fall conditions, with rain and wind hitting the south coast more often.

– – – – –

World in Brief
by Elizabeth Tomaras

→ A gay ol’ time
A new method claiming to turn gay children straight is soon to be banned in the state of California. The state Senate passed the legislation earlier in May, disallowing any non-scientific therapy from being used on anyone aged younger than 18. However, supporters of the method are firing back with a lawsuit against the ruling, as they believe that governor Jerry Brown and gay rights advocates’ arguments are “just are not true.” The American Psychiatric Association studied the types of shock treatment being used and reported it causes health risks such as depression, anxiety and self-destructive behaviour.

→ Pussy on trial
After stating “she no longer wants to work with an attorney who doesn’t share her views on the case,” Yekaterina Samutsevich and fellow Pussy Riot band members’ appeal hearing will resume on Oct. 10. The women were convicted of hooliganism in August after showing their extreme opposition of Vladimir Putin and his politics publically. The Russian Prime Minister has called for the women’s release noting their jail time is unproductive. Still, the PM said he was “sickened” by the band’s acts.

→ Kids these days
Students at the University of Tennessee have created a new way to get drunk – alcohol enemas – and it’s exactly what it sounds like. The drinker places a small tube in his or her rectum while alcohol is poured into the colon allowing it to be quickly absorb into the bloodstream. Besides sounding unpleasant and unhygienic, our stomachs and livers produce an enzyme able to break down ethanol in alcohol but our gastrointestinal tract does not and could lead to eventual poisoning. This is only one of the many dangerous drinking trends popping up worldwide.

→ Out of this world
Seated in the same position since the 11th century, carved out of a meteor and once in the hands of Nazis, the “Iron Man” Buddhist god sculpture is currently the subject of study for Elmar Buchner of the Planetology Institute at Stuttgart University in Germany. Buchner has analyzed the statue, figuring it is made out of a meteorite that landed between Mongolia and Siberia approximately 15,000 years ago. It is the only known man-made creation crafted out of intergalactic material which places its value at $20,000 however if Buchner’s age estimate is correct, it may be “invaluable.”

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News

New Briefs

City in brief
by Kalina Laframboise and Catlin Spencer

It’s not a girl, it’s a chief executive officer

After nine months of steering the Montreal University Health Centre, Normand Rinfret was named permanent chief executive officer of the operation after a unanimous decision by the board of directors. Rinfret stepped up following the former CEO Arthur Porter’s resignation. Porter left amid accusations of shady business dealings and criticisms from other board members. Rinfret’s worked for MUHC since 1979 and is now leading the superhospital project slated to finish in 2014.

The next Ryan Gosling?
“Hey girl,” croons Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois as he stares into the eyes of a blonde who sits across from him on a park bench. He may no longer be a leader of the student strike movement but he has been keeping busy by avoiding kidnappers known as Le Rabbit Crew. The aforementioned crew posted a video on YouTube on Sept. 5 which already has more than 48,000 views. Similar to Anonymous, Le Rabbit Crew don bunny masks while fighting the tuition hike and claim to be “you, him, her, in the hearts of strikers, an idea; we do not forgive, we do not forget, prepare yourselves!”

Introducing Bell-flix
As part of it’s plan for the acquisition of Astral media, Bell will be launching it’s own version of Netflix to compete with, asides from Netflix itself, other big online television and entertainment U.S. providers like Apple, Google and Amazon. Bell’s “made-in-Canada” version will play media in French and English and will contribute back to Canadian programming unlike Netflix which does not pay taxes in Canada. While it hasn’t been said when or how much the service will cost, Bell CEO George Cope did say that the service will be available to all Canadians through any cable, satellite or online television service provider.

Give us the data already!
The federal government has been ordered by the courts to hand over records gathered about Quebec’s gun registry to the provincial government. Judge Marc-Andre Blanchard ruled that the data could not be viewed as strictly ‘federal’, and that Quebec has the right to have it. Quebec courts accused the federal government of violating conventions of Canadian federalism and gave them 30 days to turn over the registry data. However, the issue is expected to be brought before the Supreme court of Canada and the legal battle to continue.

* * *

Nation in brief
by Elizabeth Tomaras

Canada and Iran break it off
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced the Harper administration’s decision to sever ties with Iran on Sept. 7, explaining that there were significant concerns of terrorism and the safety of Canadian diplomats in the region. Canadian diplomats will return home, while Iranian diplomats have until Sept. 12 to leave Canada. Baird also cited the state’s refusal to adhere to United Nations guidelines concerning their nuclear development program, along with its anti-Israel stance. Iranian-Canadians are being redirected to Turkish consulates and embassies for any concerns they may have.

Victoria Police investigate free baby offer
Police are investigating an unusual online advertisement offering an infant for sale in Victoria, British Columbia. The posting provided a photo of the baby, offering it for free because of “times are hard” and was quickly reported to Victoria authorities by individuals pursuing the website Monday. The advertisement was removed from the Used Victoria website, that boosts used goods, and is now under investigation. Victoria Police are trying to track down the parents and confirm that the child is safe.

Man charged in Toronto dismemberment case
Chun Qi Jiang of Toronto sat in a Brampton, Ont. courtroom on Monday, Sept. 10. He has been charged with the murder and dismemberment of his estranged ex-girlfriend Guang Hua Liu whose body parts were discovered Aug. 15. Not all of Liu’s parts have been found. Jiang was not previously known to police however became a prime suspect once Liu’s remnants were uncovered. Jiang was arrested on Sunday, Sept. 9 in his hometown.

Making the best of a stormy situation
With Hurricane Leslie’s impending havoc on the maritimes, one group of enthusiasts are grabbing their gear and heading out – and it isn’t the storm chasers. “This is a pretty big event,” said David Hamp-Gonsalves, a surfer who hangs ten in Cow Bay on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. The approaching severe weather is causing waves more than three metres high. Hurricane Michael is also set to make landfall however meteorologists suspect Leslie will push him out.

* * *

World in brief
by A.J. Cordeiro

Talk about a hole-in-one
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing activity which allows players to blow off steam. In this case however, someone ended up blowing a gasket. Jeff Fleming, 53, is accused of opening fire on two men on a golf course in Reno, Nevada. He was reportedly upset after a stray golf ball broke a window of his home overlooking a golf course. One man was shot during the incident, brought to hospital and then released Friday.

Good luck, Mittens
It’s that time of year again. With the Democratic National Convention closing last week, the campaigns are now in full swing, as voters and politicians alike are campaigning for votes. The much-anticipated American elections will take place on Nov. 6. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney suffered a recent drop in the polls following the DNC. Major issues will revolve around the economy (taxes, debt, and jobs), health care, same-sex marriage, the environment, abortion, and immigration.

So many bills, so little time
SOPA, PIPA, ACTA, and now TPP. The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement between a number of nations including Canada, Australia, Chile, and Singapore, has internet activists smashing their keyboards. Net-rights lobby groups are raising concerns over the TPP’s wording, which uses language heavily favouring intellectual property owners. Under the agreement, those charged with internet piracy could face punishments ranging from simple take-down notices all the way to requiring Internet service providers to cut off access. Activists and lobbyists alike have been working with a 2011 leaked edition of the agreement, as the actual agreement remains sealed.

What will they think of next?
The iPhone 5 was officially announced this week. This is the first smartphone release since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ passing. The phone boasts the ability to run on LTE carriers (faster than 3G), and will include several other upgrades including a taller screen, a RAM boost for better app functionality, and a thinner design. The recently released iOS 6 will take full advantage of the new capabilities. Other releases by the technology giant will include new iPod Touches, Nanos and Shuffles.

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News

City/Nation/World in brief

City in Brief:
A warm welcome
As UQAM students tried to resume what was left of the previous winter semester, they were greeted by protesters rather than teachers. On Monday, Aug. 27, about 100 classes were cancelled after an estimated 20 loud protesters showed their disdain for the resuming of the semester that was cut short back in February. Courses at Universite de Montreal were also disrupted by protesters. An eviction notice was given by the SPVM to the group rallying at U of M who dispersed soon after.

Nation in Brief:
Woman’s mutilated body found in Mississauga
Several body parts of dismemberment victim Guang Hua Liu have been found last week in locations surrounding the Greater Toronto Area. Her torso and other body parts are still missing but police are trying to focus on the details surrounding her death. The 41-year-old mother of three fled China 10 years ago after violating the country’s birth control policies and filed for refugee status upon her arrival to Canada. Little is known about her life in Canada but Liu’s estranged ex-boyfriend Chun Qi Jiang was arrested on Monday, Aug. 27.

World in Brief:
Tropical Storm Isaac heads for familiar ground
Though not a hurricane yet, Tropical Storm Isaac is about to hit Americans where it hurts; New Orleans. The weak system is set to make landfall on Wednesday when forecasters predict it will have gained hurricane strength. As the approaching anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation nears, it is unsure what Isaac will unleash. “That brings a high level of anxiety to the people of New Orleans,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu was quoted as saying by CNN. However, the storm will not become strong enough – only reaching Category 1 compared to Katrina’s Category 3 – to cause the same damage that occurred seven years ago.

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Arts

Montreal rolls out the green carpet for environmentalist film makers

In Seeking the Current, film makers Nicolas Boisclair and Alexis de Gheldere take a canoe trip down the Romaine river with two environmentalists to document the ecosystem.

In Seeking the Current, film makers Nicolas Boisclair and Alexis de Gheldere take a canoe trip down the Romaine river with two environmentalists to document the ecosystem.

This award season, you don’t have to be green with envy of those in Los Angeles getting in on all the action. If you prefer the green carpet over the infamous red one, there’s something a little closer to home.

2011 marks the third edition of the Montreal Film Festival on the Environment, which showcases both homegrown and international cinematic talent on a variety of issues dealing with the environment, including sustainable development and ecology. Modern times mean modern concerns, and this year’s focus will be “Water: Challenge of The Century.”

Clean water has become somewhat of a luxury as nearly one-third of the world’s population lacks what North Americans take for granted. “Our seas, lakes and rivers are weighed down by a process of urbanization and industrialization that has run amok. How can we preserve this life-giving resource in the 21st century?” reads the website for the festival’s venue, Cinema du Parc.

Roger Rashi, organizer and co-founder of the FFEM, said he looks forward to new features this year. “Showing a great fiction film, Even the Rain, on the opening night of the festival has me very excited,” he said. “It is a new departure for us as we hope to mix in more fiction films in the festival’s program in coming years.”

The Spanish drama is a retelling of Bolivian protests in 2000 over government plans to privatize their water supply. The film straddles both this year’s theme, the life-sustaining liquid known as water, as well its side-focus on issues facing Latin America.

In that vein, Peruvian mining expose The Devil Operation and Waste Land, about recycling pickers at the world’s biggest garbage dump in Brazil, are also screening.

Rashi thinks that holding the FFEM makes sense for Montreal. “There are great environmental films being produced around the world and there are some great environmental festivals in Paris, Torino, Toronto, Washington, so why not in Montreal?” But according to him, what makes this particular festival so unique is how “we focus not on jury selection and prizes but on exchange with the public through panel discussions and Q & A sessions.”

A discussion will accompany the highlight of the 2011 FFEM, Quebec vedette Roy Dupuis’s Chercher le Courant’s. Debuting in English as Seeking the Current, Dupuis’s acclaimed documentary looks at the effects of Hydro-Québec, as well as the government’s negligence when it comes to alternative renewable resources. “This movie has had great critical and commercial success, a rare feat for a documentary, especially if it takes on Hydro-Québec,” affirmed Rashi, who labelled the organization “a sacred cow.”

In addition to film screenings, there will be a series of conferences covering different topics, including one with Dupuis. The green carpet doesn’t bring with it glitz and glamour, but it does promises Montrealers grit and grand debate.

The third FFEM will take place March 4 to the 10 at Cinéma du Parc. For more information, check out www.cinemaduparc.com.

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