July 5, 2007—In his award-winning 2004 film “The End of Suburbia,” Toronto documentary filmmaker Greg Greene questioned prospects for the American way of life as global demand for fossil fuels begins to exceed supply. With unflinching interviews and ironic juxtaposition, the film was the first to introduce thousands of viewers to the looming challenges of peak oil and helped spawn an international movement of citizens’ groups dedicated to relocalization—building greater community self-reliance in energy, food, and economy.
In the sequel, “Escape from Suburbia: Beyond the American Dream”—premiering at Boulder Theater on July 10, 7:00 p.m.—Greene takes a hard look at the imminent fuel crisis and explores how ordinary citizens and communities can respond to the situation. In the film, expert research is balanced with personal stories and interviews to show how declining oil production has already begun to affect modern life in North America.
The film is being presented by one of the early responders to the fossil fuel crisis, Boulder Valley Relocalization, along with BOULDER COUNTY GOING LOCAL!
Film Synopsis
Suburbia and all it promises has become symbolic of the American Dream, a lifestyle predicated on the availability of cheap and abundant fossil fuels. A debate rages over when global demand for oil will outpace supply and what alternatives can be developed in time to prevent a massive energy crisis.
Now, “Escape from Suburbia” moves from the realm of theory and “crisis fatigue” to the real world where practical solutions for a post-carbon age are explored and glib opinions from government and industry are balanced by on-the-street skepticism from an emerging movement of citizen’s groups confronting our addiction to oil.
Peak oil and climate change take center stage in this irreverent yet intimate portrait of three characters and a small town preparing for the most dramatic transition in modern history:
“In ‘Escape,’ I wanted to look at the people who really were trying to make some kind of impact over the energy question, right now,” says Greene. “Who were the people who had a future without cheap oil? Who were the ones who didn’t want to waste any time waiting around for it to hit them? These are the people who are anticipating massive social changes based on energy becoming much more expensive. Their futures, our futures, could be vastly different depending on the success or failure of their projects.”
“Escape from Suburbia” is an entertaining, provocative and timely wake-up call, challenging the illusion of business-as-usual economic growth and pointing to positive, viable alternatives for individuals and communities working at the local level to ensure survivability and sustainability in the 21st century and beyond. Tickets are available at the Boulder Theater box office or online at www.bouldertheater.com. Admission is $12.
Panel
The film will be immediately followed by brief presentations and discussion by a panel of Boulder area individuals who are actively involved in research, education, mitigation and preparation for the impacts of peak oil, including:
Sponsors
Boulder Valley Relocalization (www.boulderrelocalization.org) is a council of Boulder area citizens who, through public education and awareness, are catalyzing preparation for the challenges and opportunities of The Long Emergency—converging global crises of peak oil, climate change, and resulting economic chaos. BOULDER COUNTY GOING LOCAL! (www.bouldercountygoinglocal.com) is a county-wide campaign designed to help build community self-sufficiency and strengthen the local economy, the beginning of a decade-long transition to a more localized economy in a carbon-constrained future.
Interviews
For interviews with the panelists or the film’s director, call 303-494-1521.
