The Shorelines Film Series seeks to explore the dynamic boundary and interaction between water and land as well as the social, historical, and cultural implications of this intersection. The films curated for this series utilize novel innovations in portraying the ecological and human landscape surrounding land and water. An effort created under the Climate Crisis and Media Arts global catalyst group, Shorelines invites filmmakers and artists to provide insight into experimental storytelling approaches, inspiring further conversations and audience involvement in evaluating our relationship with water and land. 

Where We Used to Swim (2019) | dir. Daniel Asadi Faezi

Lake Urmia in Northern Iran was once the largest lake in the Middle East. Human influence set brought upon a devastating drought that the lake could not withstand. Today, just 5% of the original lake remains. Lake Urmia in Northern Iran was once the largest lake in the Middle East. Human influence set brought upon a devastating drought that the lake could not withstand. Today, just 5% of the original lake remains.

Zhalanash – Empty Shore (2017) | dir. Marcin Sauter

Once one of the world’s biggest lakes, the Aral Sea has all but vanished. Marcin Sauter’s film focuses on what remains in an area that once flourished, on the fates of people who had to adapt to life in the desert and now ponder over their solitude among the wrecks of ships and port cranes.

Shorelines Q&A ft. Daniel Asadi Faezi and Ginny Lee

Conversation between Climate Crisis and Media Arts researcher Ginny Lee and filmmaker Daniel Asadi Faezi.

The Shorelines Film Series seeks to explore the dynamic boundary and interaction between water and land as well as the social, historical, and cultural implications of this intersection. The films curated for this series utilize novel innovations in portraying the ecological and human landscape surrounding land and water. An effort created under the Climate Crisis and Media Arts global catalyst group, Shorelines invites filmmakers and artists to provide insight into experimental storytelling approaches, inspiring further conversations and audience involvement in evaluating our relationship with water and land. 

By Way of Canarsie (2020) | dir. Emily Packer, Lesley Steele

After years of neglect by the City of New York and the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, the coastal community of Canarsie, Brooklyn wants more. Using a variety of formats, this experimental series of vignettes explores Canarsie’s unique relationship to the water and the community’s vision for the future.

No Kings (2020) | dir. Emilia Mello

Not too far from Rio de Janeiro's rumbling motorways and electric lights there is a place, where carving canoes and building houses with clay are still an essential part of life. 'No Kings' has been made in the same free spirit that defines the lives of the inhabitants of the small community between the sea and the rain forest. Out here, nature itself is the supreme authority. The rest of society with its gods and kings is a distant echo. The vital, saturated universe enshrouds us as we are out catching crabs with the children or hear the rain patter on the roof in the middle of the night. The Caiçara people maintain and cultivate the last remnants of the Atlantic rain forest, and their traditions are based on sustainable values from Brazil, Japan, Africa and Europe. But Brazil's new government has other plans for the rain forest and for the country's many minorities.

Shorelines Q&A ft. Emily Packer, Lesley Steele, Emilia Mello, and Rasheed Peters

Conversation between Climate Crisis and Media Arts researcher Rasheed Peters and filmmakers Lesley Steele, Emily Packer, and Emilia Mello.

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