Health Care Without Harm-Asia's Healthy Energy Initiative campaign is proud to release the short documentary “The Big Show,” which will be screened during the Cost of Coal Film Festival alongside the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris.
The film provides an overview of the health impacts as perceived by local citizens in towns hosting coal-fired power plants. Through the interviews of health experts and renewable energy advocates, the film also underscores how the health effects of coal do no stop in the community – the Philippines is now one of the world’s countries most vulnerable to climate change. Unfortunately, the irony is that the Philippines is still yet to cut its addiction to coal, which is climate change’s leading driver.
The film then highlights the country’s largely untapped renewable energy potential – and the demand from the people for a renewable energy transition. The documentary ends with health sector leaders calling for the promotion of healthy energy – even one hospital ‘walking the talk’ by installing solar energy systems – a premiere to the new ‘big show’ that puts human health and the health sector at the center of the climate and energy discourse.
The team that developed the film included Adi Bontuyan (director; winner of the Special Jury Prize for the short film “Taya” at the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Manila), Roniel Conise (writer), as well as HCWH-Asia’s Dr. Renzo Guinto, Ann Lustresano, and Dianne Mendoza.
The Cost of Coal Film Festival is organized by international health and environmental groups including Health Care Without Harm to highlight the health and social effects of coals. Films that will be screened include those from South Africa, Australia, Russia, and China.