Directed by: Danielle Bernstein & Anne Slick
Produced by: Anne Slick, Danielle Bernstein & Gabriela Calvache
Assistant Producers: Stephanie Friede, Vic Carrera, Juan Carlos Donoso, Fernanda Sosa
Camera: Danielle Bernstein
Editor: Ivan Mora
Sound: Amelia St. Peter-Blair
Sound Design: Esteban Brauer
Composer: Juan Carlos Gonzales
This film was made possible by the New York State Council of the Arts
© Clear Films 2008
Synopsis
When Clouds Clear is a feature-length documentary that explores one remote Ecuadorian community’s radical resistance to a proposed copper mine that would level the town and destroy its way of life forever. Set in the isolated cloud forests of the northern Andes Mountains, the film is narrated by the founders and children of Junín. They speak about how the village’s daily life has been affected by the rich ore deposits were discovered in the region. As two invading mining companies have become increasingly brazen in their attempts to infiltrate and control the area, the community must coalesce into a united resistance in order to survive. Still, some citizens side with the wealth that the companies promise, causing irreparable divisions, pitting friend against friend and father against son. Suddenly these once-peaceful farmers find themselves thrust into a dangerous world of corruption, splintered households, murder and arson as they fight tenaciously to protect their land and families.
Directed and produced by emerging filmmakers Anne Slick and Danielle Bernstein, When Clouds Clear is a gripping and beautiful documentary shot on a patchwork of 16 mm, Super 8 and video that serves as a reminder to us all that wealth and poverty cannot always be measured in dollars and cents.
Trailer
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Festival History: 2009: Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Nevada (USA); ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival (USA); Environmental Film Festival of the Nations Capital,Washington DC (USA); Environmental Film Festival, Columbia (USA); Ai Lof Niu Yorr, Festival de la vida de cada dia, New York (USA); Sydney Latin Film Festival (AUS); The Princeton Environmental Film Festival (USA); 2008: Guadalajara International Film Festical (MX); Encounters Film Festival, Cape Town/Johannesburg (ZA); Atlanta Film Festival (USA); New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival (USA); Cinestrat International Documentary Film Festival (E); Cine Las Americás International Film Festival (USA); Trento International Film Festival (I); Los Angeles International Film Festival (USA); Maine International Film Festival (USA); Rhode Island International Film Festival (USA); Hamptons International Film Festival (USA); Camden International Documentary Film Festival (USA); Biarritz Festival (F); San Francisco Documentary Film Festival (USA); 2007: IDFA, Docs for Sale, Amsterdam (NL)
Additional Screenings:
Awards: 2009: Best Documentary, Long Island Latino International Film (USA); Audience Top 5, Encuentros del Otro Cine, Quito (Ecuador); 2008: Best Feature Film Award, Seoul Green International Film Festival (South Korea); Social Justice Award for Documentary, Santa Barbara International Film Festival (USA); Artistic Vision Award, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (USA); Best Latin Film Award, Breckenridge Festival of Film (USA); Best Spanish Language Film Award, Rincon International Film Festival (Puerto Rico); Best of Festival Award, Hazelwolf Environmental Film Festival, Seattle (USA); Excellence in Film Award, Accolade Competition (USA); Cine Golden Eagle (USA)
supported by: The New York State Council of the Arts; The Lupo Fund, Inc.; The Pittsburgh Filmmakers First Works Grant, The Exposition Fund Grant
archive footage: Acendant Copper S.A., Archives of Cotacachi, Ecuavisa, Program La Televisión-Telesistema (RTS)
Distribution History: Community Channel VOD, London; RealEyz VOD, Germany; Ironweed Film Club, USA; **all non-exclusive distribution outlets**
Fiscal sponsorship and 501(c) 3 status through Film/Video Arts New York
Fiscal sponsorship and 501(c) 3 status through Women Make Movies
