Quebec Film Week: The Last Continent December 12, 2008

Filmmaker and marine biologist Jean Lemire leads an intense 430-day expedition to Antarctica in this resonant documentary about a group of scientists investigating the effects of climate change. When the team arrives they discover that warmer temperatures causing upheavals in the ecosystem also threaten the safety of the crew members themselves. Awaiting the arrival of a desperately needed winter, they struggle to keep food supplies cold and the boat anchored against gale-force winds. Cinematographers Martin Leclerc and Mario Cyr capture glorious shots of Antarctica’s sublime landscapes while Donald Sutherland’s deft voiceover narration creates a richly textured profile of the continent. With compassion and urgency, the film makes a compelling case for action, suggesting that the effects of global warming on our fragile world run far deeper than we can see. Written by Jean Lemire, Caroline Underwood. Photographed by Mario Cyr, Martin Leclerc, Stéphan Menghi. In English and French with English subtitles. 105 min. Distributed by Seville Pictures.

Note, additional playtime on Sunday December 14 at 3:30PM

Film tickets $10 year-round SFFS members, $12.50 general, $11 seniors, students and persons with disabilities; CineVoucher Québec 8-Packs $72 SFFS members, $92 general; one opening night film and reception $15 SFFS members, $20 general; both opening night films and reception $25 SFFS members, $32.50 general. Tickets available online at www.sffs.org, by calling 925.866.9559 or by faxing 925.866.9597. Open November 11 for SFFS members and November 18 for the general public.

Full schedule and information: www.sffs.org.

Official Website: http://www.sffs.org/events/index_series_quebec.html