There's a well-written and extremely well researched essay by Aida Edemariam on the oil sands on the UK Guardian website – I think it's essential reading, especially as it presents a view from the outside, and almost everything we hear about the oil sands is Alberta or Canada generated – and it's a model of how to combine extensive and detailed research and fact and figures with writing that keeps the reader interested:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/oct/30/energy.oilandpetrol
I have received information about the Global Visions Film Festival at the U, which I am passing on to all of you. Looks interesting!
"This year's Global Visions Film Festival is less than a month away! We are four University of Alberta student-volunteers with the festival (through the community service learning program), and we are sending you this email as an invitation for you and your students to attend.
"Now in its 26th year, The Global Visions Film Festival is Canada's oldest documentary film festival. This year's programming of inspirational non-fiction addresses the changing realities of the global community with over 30 local and international films from a total of 25 countries. Topics range from human rights, good governance, and democracy, to the development of the private sector and the provision of basic human needs, to the environment and gender equality. Screenings also serve as a forum for discussion and an international marketplace.
"We would be pleased if you and your students could attend any of this year's films. The festival runs from November 1st until November 4th at various venues around Edmonton. Tickets are available at the door ($8 for students), or packets of several tickets ($50 for 6 tickets) are available at select distributors. More information about the festival, the films, and tickets is available at the festival's website:
"Furthermore, we are available for short, five minute class presentations from October 19th until October 31st. We have clip reels at our disposal, which we would love to present, and we would be happy to answer any questions about the festival.
"We look forward to hearing from you.
"Sincerely,
Kevin Kuchinski (ksk2@ualberta.ca)
Emily Ophus (eophus@ualberta.ca)
Mark Hoge (hoge@ualberta.ca)
Julia Daniluck (daniluck@ualberta.ca)"
Here's the link for the Creative Non-Fiction Festival. Student prices for the whole festival (apart from the Gala Opening) are $30 for a pass to all the events – good value (individual events $5 - $10 for students). I do encourage you to go at least to one of the events – not only might you hear interesting readings, but this is the Literary Festival for the writers in Canada who are professionally doing the kind of writing we are talking about in the class.
