After us comes the flood

A city on the brink of collapse and with it every-day life of its population. What once was a futuristic vision now sounds more and more like all too familiar television news. An economy that has rested on the status quo for too long is now feeling the consequences of its environmentally damaging activities. But while the attempt to transition to a sustainable and green economy is on everyone's lips, the question is not “What is the cost of this inevitable change?”, but rather “Who can afford this inevitable change?”. What is the balance between social responsibility and quality of life? These questions make up the reality of the world in which our short film “After us comes the flood” is set.

I am from Canada, one of the countries where companies have to overcome the fewest hurdles worldwide when it comes to company closures. I have seen companies shut down while others have fought to survive in the name of progress and profit against all environmental warnings. In 2016 for example, the community of Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, had to be evacuated twice due to flooding and forest fires, while at the same time every effort was made to keep one of the most environmentally damaging oil extraction industries going. In La Baie, Quebec, the Abitibi- Consolidated paper company announced the permanent closure of its mill in 2004 - a terrible economic and social tragedy for over 600 workers, their families and the entire regional community, including some of my own family members.

The short film "After us comes the flood" was created against the backdrop of these themes. The film focuses on the fear of facing inevitable decisions and on the many ways of dealing with problems, such as denial, apathy, escape or active confrontation. And, of course, the feeling of being lost, of no longer knowing what to do next. Oliver - like the city in which he lives - is faced with an ultimatum: if combating the symptoms is no longer enough to deal with the extent of the problem, there is no other option but to face reality.