La Búsqueda Global para la Educación: Ecos de la selva tropical: Una entrevista con Laura Nguyen sobre Root of Life

Publicado por C. M. Rubin en junio 19, 2024

Este mes, el público puede filtrar Raíz de la vida el público puede proyectar A Not So Grand Day Out. Esta película está curada por Planet Classroom..

Raíz de la vida is a compelling journey with Dr. Nika Tsato Kax’Oxo and the Tropical Rainforest Institute of Belize, showcasing their social activities, livelihoods, and efforts to promote sustainability and conscious living. The documentary, directed by Laura Nguyen and produced by Thomas Blubaugh, emphasizes the importance of sustainably sourcing food and preserving the rainforest. Produced on location by Actuality Abroad organization’s youth crew, this film highlights the innovative work of changemakers in Belize.

Laura, Bienvenido. How did you find out about Dr. Nika Tsato Kax’Oxo, DR. Tehu Kax’Oxo II, and Ivy Flores, and what inspired you to share their stories?

Robin (Robin Canfield, Co-Founder Actuality Abroad) was the one that found them for us actually!

What was your creative process in weaving together these people and their stories, along with the themes of food being used to maintain health, cultura, and the environment?

We didn’t really have a storyline at first. En lugar, we just talked to everyone to get to know their story. Después, I noticed that they all had a fascination with food. I also realized that it was more than just food. It was a way for them to stay connected to their culture, el ambiente, and maintain their health. None of the people we talked to were born in Belize, so by keeping their food, they were able to keep some of their roots no matter where they live in the world.

Were there any other interesting facts, cuentos, or challenges you encountered behind the scenes that you would like to share? Did you learn anything more about the food and biodiversity of Belize that you hadn’t known before?

It was a lot of fun living in Belize for a month. Getting to know the people, being surrounded by so much wildlife, and learning about different lifestyles. There’s more than one way to live life, and what really matters at the end of the day is that you’re happy.

What do you hope audiences will take away from your film, especially regarding conserving the environment and eating healthier?

I’ve become a lot more conscious with what I put in my body. We only have one life and one body, so might as well take care of it the best we can. Just like how we only have one Earth.

I’ve also realized how much culture is integrated into our food. Por ejemplo, when my parents were growing up in Vietnam, they would spend every Lunar New Year making a Vietnamese dish called Banh Tet and Banh Chung. Their parents taught them how to make it. Más tarde, they taught me and my siblings how to make it. Everyone has at least one special dish that their family makes, just like all the people we interviewed and filmed. It’s cool to learn about your family’s dishes, but just as cool to learn about other people’s and the history tied to that particular dish!

Thank you Laura!