Maldives is a country like no other. A Shangri-la of breathtakingly beautiful turquoise reefs, beaches, and palm trees. It is composed of 1200 coral islands off of the Indian sub-continent, of which 200 are inhabited. But this amazing country is in danger of disappearing.

On July 19th at 7pm, Greentopia | FILM and The Little Theatre will be co-presenting the Rochester premiere of The Island President…

President Mohamed “Anni” Nasheed of the Maldives is a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced – the survival of his country and everyone in it. After bringing democracy to the Maldives following thirty years of despotic rule, Nasheed is now faced with an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives enough to make them uninhabitable.

The Island President is a thought-provoking feature documentary from director Jon Shenk that tells the story of a truly inspiring man; a man whose mission it is to make Maldives the first carbon neutral country, a man who led a twenty-year pro-democracy movement against the brutal regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a man who survived repeated imprisonments and torture and became president at the age of 41. He now faces his greatest adversary – The Ocean.

Following President Nasheed’s efforts, the film takes viewers to the Copenhagen Climate Summit of 2009. When hope fades for a written accord to be signed, Nasheed makes a stirring speech which salvages an agreement. Despite the modest size of his country, Mohamed Nasheed has become one of the leading international voices for urgent action on climate change.

[This film features a stirring soundtrack from Radiohead including Kid A, Morning Bell, Hunting Bears, I Might Be Wrong, Electioneering, Optimistic, House of Cards, Treefingers, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, In Limbo, Everything In its Right Place, How to Disappear Completely, Reckoner, and Idioteque. Stars of the Lid also contributed several tracks.]

Event Details:

What:
“The Island President” screening with Director Jon Shenk

When:
July 19, 7:00p

Where:
The Little Theatre

Tickets for the film are available here . Additionally, passes for Greentopia | FILM will be on sale at the showing.

Questions & Answers with director Jon Shenk will follow the screening.

Local musicians will take the stage at 6:40pm for some pre-show entertainment and then after the post-show discussion Snow Daze the shaved ice truck, will be parked outside the theatre. YUMMIES for your mind AND your taste buds.

UPDATE: The date of the screening is 7/19, not 7/9 as originally posted.

Tags: climate change, event, global warming, Greentopia Festival, Jon Shenk, movie, The Island President, The Little Theatre

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