DAVENPORT, Iowa — For the fifth year, River Action of the Quad Cities is bringing a lineup of environmental films to the community.
In a partnership with the Eagle View Group of the Sierra Club, Nahant Marsh Education Center, the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities and the Trusth First Film Alliance, River Action is showing six movies throughout 2024 that center around the environment.
Among the six films in this year's lineup are documentaries about influential scientists like Anne Innis Dagg, who became the first person to study wild giraffe behavior, and Peter Wholleben, who works as a forester to study the biological processes of trees.
After each film, a guest speaker will be brought in for a public discussion on the movie.
Each show will be held on Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Figge Art Museum. Tickets are available on River Action's website, and can also be purchased at the door for $7, or for all six films it will cost $20.
Schedule of films
- "All that Breaths" on Jan. 21
- Film description from River Action: "As legions of the black kite (birds of prey) fall from New Delhi’s smoke-choked skies, two dedicated brothers care for them in a makeshift bird hospital in their tiny basement. The majestic raptors are essential in controlling vermin in the urban ecosystem. This film was a 2023 Academy Award nominee for best documentary."
- Speaker: Dave Murcia, director of the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center
- "Last Paddle?" on Jan. 28
- Film description from River Action: "This inspirational and visually stunning film chronicles the amazing lifetime journey of renowned river advocate Mark Angelo who has paddled more than 1,000 rivers in well over 100 countries. The film chronicles his life-long commitment to river conservation and restoration around the globe. The film is hosted by the Clean Sphere student group at Black Hawk College, Moline."
- Speaker: Dan Breidenstein, vice-chair of Living, Lands and Waters.
- "The Woman Who Loves Giraffes" on Feb. 4
- Film description from River Action: "In 1956, 25-year-old biologist, Anne Innis Dagg, made a solo journey to South Africa to become the first person to study giraffe behavior in the wild. She faced many obstacles as a female scientist. Dr. Dagg was absent from the giraffe world for 50 years, until her triumphant return, which is also celebrated with a journey back to South Africa."
- Speaker: Joel Vanderbush, curator of conservation and education at Niabi Zoo.
- "The Hidden Life of Trees" on Feb. 18
- Film description from River Action: “'Branching' off his bestselling book, renowned forester and writer Peter Wohlleben guides us through his most precious ideas and understanding of how trees work. Presenting ecological, biological, and academic expertise with matter-of-fact candor, Peter inspires us to really see the forest for the trees. The film is hosted by the Green Life student group at St. Ambrose University, Davenport."
- Speaker: Stephanie Adams, plant health care leader at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois
- "WE THE POWER" on Feb. 25
- Film description from River Action: "An inspiring and entertaining film, it highlights the citizen-led, community-energy movement in Europe. The film chronicles four local dedicated cooperatives from deep in the Black Forest to the streets of ancient Girona and the urban rooftops of London as they pave the way for a clean energy revolution to build healthier, financially-strong communities. The film is hosted by the student Sierra Club at Augustana College, Rock Island."
- Speaker: TBA
- "Who Are the Marcuses?" on Mar. 3
- Film description from River Action: "The documentary looks at the lives of Holocaust survivors, Lottie and Howard Marcus, an unassuming couple from Great Neck, N.Y. Their surprising donation of $500 million to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the academic Israeli institution that furthers water technology research, inspired peace and climate action. The film is hosted by the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities."
- Speaker: TBA
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