Shining a spotlight on local solutions to global challenges
COOKEVILLE – WCTE encourages social distancing by presenting a special Indie Lens Pop-Up online screening of “Eating Up Easter” featuring a talkback with filmmakers Sergio Mata’u Rapu, Elena Rapu and United Nations Association of the USA Executive Director Rachel Bowen Pittman.
The show will air on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. CST, and viewers are encouraged immediately following the showing to join community-led breakout discussions on topics such as responsible tourism and our National Parks, environmental sustainability in New Jersey and more.
Threatened by climate change and globalization, tiny Easter Island provides a wake-up call for the rest of the world. Directed by native Rapa Nui filmmaker Sergio Mata’u Rapu, “Eating Up Easter” explores the challenges Rapa Nui faces and the intergenerational fight to preserve their culture and environment against a modernizing society and booming tourism trade.
Viewers are encouraged to ponder questions, such as: ‘What might we learn from Rapa Nui, as we confront this uniquely global problem?’ and ‘How can we collectively support one another, our communities and our earth?’
More than just a picture postcard of iconic stone statues, Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, is a microcosm of a planet in flux. Native Rapanui grapple with a booming tourism trade that rakes in money, but brings about a changing climate that threatens the fragile ecology on the island. Rapanui filmmaker Sergio Mata’u Rapu and producer Elena Rapu introduce viewers to artists, ecologists and developers who balance their strong cultural heritage with modern-day challenges.
The participate in the screening, RSVP here: https://bit.ly/EatingUpEaster-OVEE-RSVP.
This event is hosted by Indie Lens Pop-Up in collaboration with WCTE/PBS, Arkansas Peace & Justice Memorial Movement, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, Basin PBS, Charitable Film Network, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Global Peace Film Festival, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kansas City Public Library, KIXE, KMOS-TV, Montana PBS, New Hampshire PBS, Panhandle PBS, PBS Hawai‘i, Pickford Film Center, The Puffin Foundation, Red River Theatres, Riverrun Films With Class, Teaneck International Film Festival, United Nations Association of the USA, WCTE, WKAR and WSIU Public Broadcasting.
WCTE has served the Upper Cumberland for more than 40 years as the region’s premier storyteller and is the only television station in a 75-mile radius of Cookeville, making it a strategic partner in education, health services, government, arts and music. WCTE is a 501(c) 3 and is owned and operated by the Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council. WCTE is one of only 350 PBS member stations nationwide.