Inner Wheel organised two screenings of the film Antarctica - The Giant Awakens at the Roxy. Liz Courtney, the Director and Script Writer of the film was present at both screenings to answer questions about the production.
The first was a matinee aimed at younger people.
Volunteer Len with Liz at the Matinee
The second screening, at 7pm was attended by both Rotary Clubs and many local people.There was an informal gathering of a few intrepid members of our club at the Wade Hotel before the screening but, it seems most elected to skip dinner before the film.
Jan Munro introduced the filmmaker, her sister Liz Courtney, before the screening.Liz has a very impressive resume – as outlined in some recent bulletins. Since leaving the world of public relations, Liz has become a leading figure in documentary filmmaking, particularly around climate and sustainability. She has now created over 55 documentaries.Her work has been recognized globally, including a prestigious award in London for Women Changing the World through media, presented by the Duchess of York. Other achievements include: 100 Woman of Influence Award Australia; Inducted into the Australian Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame 2016; and Artist in Residence at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.Her brief comments preceded the screening of the film.This was a documentary set in West Antarctica and followed a team of scientists led by Prof Benjamin Horton, Director of The Earth Observatory. Antarctica spans over 14 million square kilometres, making it the fifth-largest continent. It is home to the coldest, driest, and windiest conditions on the planet. Temperatures can plummet to minus 80o C in winter, and the continent receives less precipitation annually than the Sahara Desert, earning it the title of a polar desert.Covered almost entirely by a colossal ice sheet that averages 2 kilometres thick, Antarctica holds about 70% of the world's fresh water and 90% of its ice. This glacial giant plays a pivotal role in regulating Earth's climate, serving as a global thermostat by reflecting sunlight and influencing ocean currents.As global temperatures rise, Antarctica's ice sheets are increasingly vulnerable to melting. This poses profound implications for the planet. Melting ice contributes to rising sea levels, which threaten coastal cities and ecosystems worldwide. The destabilization of polar ice also disrupts ocean circulation, potentially altering weather patterns across the globe.The Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth, is a stark warning of the continent's fragility. Ice shelves such as Larsen B have disintegrated, and glaciers are retreating at alarming rates. The loss of ice not only impacts sea levels but also jeopardizes the habitat of species like emperor penguins and seals, whose survival is intricately linked to the frozen environment.The film provided a stark reminder that we need to be concerned about climate change to prevent a ‘tipping point’ for Antarctica’s ice sheets and glaciers to prevent catastrophic sea level rises and biodiversity and environmental catastrophe.While providing a stark warning of danger, the film had magnificent scenery of this awe-inspiring continent, including amazing panoramic views from drone footage.Following the filming, Liz hosted a highly interactive Q & A session.
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Brain Teaser
Two boxers are in a match scheduled for 12 rounds. (Pure boxing only. There are no kicking or takedowns). One of the boxers gets knocked out after only six rounds, yet no man throws a punch. How is this possible?
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Every Bulletin Editor's Worst Nightmare
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Editor's Note
Thank you to Brian for providing the last three professional bulletins.Also thank you for the photos for this week.A:Both the boxers were female.
