The Militant Ecologist

Part of The Telling Image.  Ten films from eight film makers, curated by Gareth Evans for Estuary 2021.  

Jem Cohen:  The Militant Ecologist 

The Militant Ecologist features the vocals of Meshell Ndegeocello, a full-on renegade as well as a very deep bass player/composer. Her work, notably her extraordinary engagement with that of James Baldwin, can be explored here: https://meshell.com/.  Shot with a bolex camera on an New York City rooftop, the view shares a sci-fi dystopian vibe with the song. The 16mm film was processed at a local (to Jem) analog collective. 

Two other films by Jem Cohen are also part of The Telling Image:  Bella Ciao and This Climate.

Both The Militant Ecologist and Bella Ciao were made for guitarist Marc Ribot’s Songs of Resistance project. Ribot’s versions are notably based in early Italian folk songs historically attached to militant struggles (ie. partisans fighting fascism in the 1930’s and 40’s). Eras, histories, and lyrics change but resistance is, sadly, always necessary and often too little too late. Ribot and Waits' take is resolute and mournful, angry and weary, and in these contradictory impulses it recognizes the complexity of our times and our resistance.