Samuel in the CloudsPieter Van Eecke
High in the Andes Samuel remains hopeful that the snow will return, even though climate change has caused the glacier to vanish for good. A compelling example of the global refusal to face and address the facts of climate change, filmed in a unique location.
When Samuel saw a picture of a skier on a snowy mountainside as a child he knew what he wanted to do when he was older. He made his dream come true, learned how to ski and found a job working on the old ski lift on the glacier on Chacaltaya in Bolivia, one of the highest ski slopes in the world. For generations people have lived and worked in the snowy peaks. But now the snow has disappeared and an ancient glacier is about to vanish.
From his window Samuel looks out on the roof of the world and sees the climate change before his eyes. While scientists are working to measure everything objectively, Samuel continues to hope that the glacier will come back one day. Research shows the opposite is true, and experts predict that within 10 to 20 years the inhabitants of the Andes will have to deal with a severe water shortage due to the disappearance of the glaciers. Director Pieter Van Eecke’s beautiful images not only document the reality of the disappearing glacier. Samuels desperate refusal to recognize climate change as a definite fact is an allegory for all of humanity. Despite all the facts, we hold on to our old habits.
Info
Directed by Pieter Van Eecke
Belgium, Bolivia
80 min.
Spanish
Subtitles: English
Programme
Belgian selection
credits
Director
Pieter Van Eecke
Producer
Hanne Phlypo & Antoine Vermeesch
Production company
Clin D'Oeil Films
Cinematography
Johan Legraie
Editing
Octavio Iturbe
Music
Karim Baggili
Contact info
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(beschikbaar vanaf 20.03)