Capri-Suns, M&M’s and popcorn melted in the mouths of those who attended the environmental and sustainability studies club’s viewing of A Thousand Pines on Thursday, Oct. 23 in room 264 of the Science Center. The KSC Environmental and Sustainability Studies Club (ESSC) tries to provide students with hands-on involvement and learning opportunities for those interested in sustainability and the natural world at Keene State College. The club followed the film viewing with a virtual Q&A with one of the film’s two directors, Noam Osband.
A Thousand Pines is a documentary that follows a group of workers as they immigrate from Mexico and obtain temporary work visas to plant commercial pine forests in the United States. The film details the workers’ experience as well as their motivations for seeking foreign employment and the struggles they face as immigrants in the U.S. The film also provides an up-close view of the process of planting commercial pine forests, something that relates closely to the ESSC’s environmental work and planting.
Junior and ESSC President Laurel Feindel initiated a virtual meeting with Osband once the film concluded. Club members then had the opportunity to ask questions regarding what they saw in the film, Osband’s process of shooting the documentary and the interviews he conducted with the individuals the film featured.
Junior Ayushma Limbu, a member of the ESSC, attended the film showing. “I think the part that stuck with me the most about the film were the brief snip-its we got about each member’s circumstances,” Limbu said when asked what part of the film was most memorable for her. “Life is far from being fair, but despite the setbacks placed on them, these men had the courage and grit to do what they deemed best for their families in return for hard, grueling labor away from home. It’s damaging for your mental health, but when you’re desperate and have people to care for– what else can you do but stand up?”
Limbu also commented on the Q&A portion of the meeting with Osband. “I found it particularly interesting when he mentioned having to come back a second year to film because the first time was ‘too awkward’ since he didn’t know anyone well. Honestly, I felt like that was the best decision he could’ve made regarding the shots and storytelling we see– it’s all so heartwrenching and I feel as though the movie wouldn’t have the same effect or message as it did if Noam didn’t come back and make the connections he did,” Limbu said.
The environmental and sustainability studies club meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m in room 264 of the Science Center. Interested students can attend a meeting or go to the club’s Instagram, @ksc_e.s.s.c to learn more about upcoming activities.
Serena Taylor can be reached at
staylor@kscequinox.com
