‘Manufactured Landscapes’ documentary screening to be held Feb. 29

The Syracuse University Sustainability Division and the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) student organization is hosting a “zero-waste” showing of the multi award-winning documentary “Manufactured Landscapes” on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in Gifford Auditorium, in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m.

“Manufactured Landscapes,” directed by Jennifer Baichwa, explores a fast-changing China under the impact of the country’s massive industrial revolution through cameras of renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky. Burtynsky’s astonishing large-scale photographs reveal China as one of the dumping grounds of our wasteful lives and as “the world’s factory” for repurposing the waste. The film also looks at the lives of the Chinese people who are caught in this industrial revolution.

“In this film, Canadian artist Edward Burtynsky presents a stunning visual portrait of the effects of massive global consumption and disposal,” says Susan Scholl, the adviser of the SOPHE group. “The viewer is struck by the sheer scope of our human impact on nature and on one another,” she adds. “SOPHE is pleased to be partnering with the Sustainability Division in order to bring this film to campus.”

“This movie will be very visually and mentally stimulating, and relevant to anyone curious about art, the environment or international relations,” says Rebecca Osborne, Sustainability Division intern. “The theme for this month within the recycling campaign has been consumption, and I think this movie is perfect to bring us into our next theme of e-waste.”

The screening will be a “zero-waste” event and attendees are encouraged to bring their own “mess kits” (Tupperware, napkins, re-usable silverware, mug for hot beverages, re-useable water bottles, etc.) for snacks that will be provided by the Sustainability Division.

Throughout the academic year, the Sustainability Division is showing documentary films to create awareness about sustainability issues. The next film is “Food, Inc.,” and will be shown on Wednesday, March 28.

This event is a part of the Sustainability Division’s recycling campaign. Students who would like to become involved with the recycling campaign should contact Rebecca Osborne at rmosborn@syr.edu. Students who wish to become more involved with sustainable issues on campus should contact Brooke Wears at bkmorley@syr.edu.

For more information about sustainability visit the SU Sustainability website, follow @SustainableSU on Twitter, and check out the Syracuse University Sustainability Facebook page.