Before They Fall

Writer | Producer | Executive Producer

A decades-long battle by First Nations, conservation groups, and scientists to protect the remaining old-growth forests in British Columbia escalates when land defenders block a logging company from accessing the last unprotected ancient watershed on southern Vancouver Island.

Background
The film explores the characters’ individual relationships with ancient forests, and why it’s imperative we collectively protect them. It touches on potential solutions, like a transition away from old-growth in the future of logging, and Indigenous sovereignty.

Production and filming for Before They Fall took place on the ancestral homelands of the Ma’amtagila, Pacheedaht, Ditidaht, Songhees and Esquimalt Peoples, now so-called Vancouver Island. Whenever possible characters featured in the film helped inform production logistics and secure appropriate rights and permissions. During filming, they were given space to tell their story as they wished. We acknowledge the complicated situation at so-called Fairy Creek/Ada’istx. Ecologyst films followed the invitation of Elder Bill Jones and Hereditary Chief Victor Peter. 


Featuring
TJ Watt
Dr. Suzanne Simard
Rande Cook
Rainbow Eyes 
& Land Defenders at Fairy Creek

Credits
Director: Cam MacArthur
Producer: Momme Halbe
Executive Producer: Momme Halbe, Rene Gauthier
Written by: Momme Halbe, Cam MacArthur