Telluride Film Festival Cinematheque continues Monday, 4/19

There is absolutely positively nothing fishy about the collaboration between the Telluride Film Festival and the award-winning Wilkinson Public Library – except the stench from the derring-do portrayed in director Hubert Sauper’s “Darwin’s Nightmare.”

The gripping documentary exposing the booming multinational industry of fish and weapons is part of the “All About Food” series, which continues Monday, April 19, with a pre-SHOW reception starting at 5:30 p.m.

Back in the days of the flower children and the Cold War, the Soviets dumped a non-native fish into Lake Victoria, Tanzania. The profoundly predatory Nile Perch went on a rampage, killing off most of the indigenous species. There was collateral damage too, on the human population, as farmers became fisherman to satisfy the Russian and European demand for fish. Filming undercover, gave Sauper access to a range of people affected, from businessmen and pilots to peasants, prostitutes, and EU politicos, his camera exploring the altogether devastating effects of globalization on one Tanzanian village.

Haunting and hard-hitting, the images in this cautionary tale are El Greco as an eco-crusader, rather than anti-war activist.

“A fascinating cautionary tale in the guise of a documentary showing how, in the age of globalisation, things can evolve in the worst possible of unforeseen ways.  Witty, incisive, heart-breaking, angry, shocking, and very imaginative,” said Time Out.

The “All About Food” series, part of the ongoing Cinematheque film club, is programmed by Telluride Film Festival co-director Gary Meter. Patrons are treated to appetizers, beverages and, of course, popcorn. The SHOW is hosted by the very poopular Telluride Film Festival Ringmaster, director/producer David Oyster.