talking to humans…

A new short experimental documentary by PEI filmmaker Millefiore Clarkes, talking to humans about the end of the world, begins its festival life at the Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) and the Lunenburg Doc Fest (LDF) in September. The film follows the line of observation that has run through all of Millefiore’s recent films, including Solastalgia and An Impression of Everything. With this new film she is, again, attempting to stay present with the cognitive dissonance that is endemic in the age of climate crisis and ecological collapse.

talking to humans about the end of the world is a meditative observation of life unfolding over one (too hot) summer on Prince Edward Island, through the gaze of the director. As global crises intersect, dovetail, and cascade on the horizon, creating a throbbing hum of anxiety and embodied discomfort, the humans on one small island cradled in the Atlantic Ocean pursue the habits and necessities of daily life in a late-stage-capitalist milieu. Amidst the awareness (and denial) of a world on fire, resistance and joy persist. The world has always been ending. This is how it is ending now. And this is what it feels like, from here.

The voice of the film comes through the original poetry written and performed by poet and artist Chanel Briggs. The soundtrack of the film reflects its themes and includes the piece “Mass for the Endangered” by Sarah Kirkland Snider as performed on PEI by the Luminos Ensemble, and “Dying to Live” by Rich Aucoin. The humans in the film are fellow Island-dwellers from many walks of life, all of whom are collectively navigating a complex age of crisis with fortitude and humour.

Millefiore’s original intention was to include, as the name would suggest, dialogue with the film’s participants: conversations with her community about, well, the end of the world. But as the editing process unfolded it became clear that a stronger message might come through in silent observation and visual juxtaposition, allowing for the audience to fill in the space with their own reflections. And so, in contrast to its title, there is no talking in this film, other than the words of poet Chanel Briggs.

The film screens on September 14 at 7 pm as part of AIFF’s Reel East Coast Shorts Gala, and on September 21 at LDF. talking to humans about the end of the world is distributed by La Distributrice de Films.