Every summer, wildfires increasingly ravage places around the globe, darkening the skies with thick smoke and reducing communities to little more than ash and debris.
in their feature documentary Incandescence, Award-winning directors Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper (Metamorphosis) weave together immersive on-the-ground footage from the 2021 Monte Lake fire and the 2023 West Kelowna fire. with first-person accounts from Indigenous Elders, first responders, and ordinary people forced to react to a rapidly evolving ecosystem.
As climate change continues to escalate, full suppression measures have largely failed, leading to bigger, more intense mega-fires. But there is another way. Indigenous knowledge keepers explain that the First Nations people traditionally used controlled burns to regenerate the land. As one woman explains, fire is like a grizzly bear running to stay alive. But instead of fighting this insatiably hungry beast, working with nature transforms fire’s capacity to destroy into a powerful force for growth and renewal.
Following the rhythms of the seasons, Incandescence takes shape from the ancient patterns embodied in fire: destruction, aftermath, rebirth. Many plants and animals have adapted to use fire in their life cycle. Some trees species require heat to release their seeds, while other fire-activated plants make use of the nutrients released in the soil bank to bloom. Honouring the experience of both human and non-human inhabitants, the film documents extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation in the forest mosaic. From the flightpath of bees to an osprey’s aerial perspective, floating over the landscape: the Earth comes back.
Inside this intense and lushly realized cinematic experience, something else begins to emerge. A feverish spirit rising from the ashes with a collective and resilient approach to our mutable future, Incandescence transforms our understanding of fire from destruction and disaster into a kind of profound illumination, lighting the way towards new life and hope.
As Julia Beatty, Chair of the Shuswap Climate Action Society explains, “The impacts of climate change are here and wreaking huge environmental, economic, and biodiversity consequences. The lack of action to curtail our greenhouse gas emissions has resulted in an acceleration of severe weather bringing a seesaw of intense rainfall, flooding, heat waves, and drought. Extreme heat and prolonged drought have made wildfires more frequent, more intense, and much more destructive in Canada and globally. Incandescence is a must watch for all residents of our region as a cautionary tale that will also leave you with hope for a more resilient planet.”
After Shuswap Environmental Action Society President Jim Cooperman watched the film he wrote, “It was a very moving and complex film that provides us with an intimate look at the horrifying impacts of climate chaos. Using spectacular footage and the voices of firefighters and victims combined with the sounds of fire, this documentary is both artistic and educational. There is drone footage, scenes of burning structures, and wildlife up close. We see people’s lives before, during, and after a firestorm destroyed everything they owned. As a wildfire survivor, I know how terrifying fires are and believe everyone needs to see this film to become more aware of the threat facing most people who live in rural communities and even in some cities.”
Following the May 1st Salmon Arm screening at the Senior’s 5th Avenue Activity Centre, wildfire expert Jake Jacobson will discuss the C-100 firefighting course for property owners, and a FireSmart representative will share tips on protecting homes from wildfires. Everyone is welcome. Event starts at 7 PM. Admission will be by donation.
Following the May 4th screening, local experts will provide brief talks about how homeowners can fire smart their properties and about local efforts to create North Shuswap emergency fire response teams. As well, Jim Cooperman will provide an update regarding the progress of the two complaint investigations into the 2023 Shuswap firestorm. Everyone is welcome. Event starts at 7 PM. Admission is free thanks to the sponsorship by the North Shuswap Community Hall.
