Award-winning documentary filmmaker Virpi Suutari has been following the lives and activities of nature activists for months. She believes that nature conservationists deserve to be paid back.
He says that conservationists have always been needed, because important things have always required rebellion. He believes that the work of conservationists should be given value and credit.
– I am ashamed to admit that, when I was young, I myself thought they were a bit silly, marginal tree-huggers. But we have all needed them, they have done the work for the rest of us.
Activism requires courage
Suutar is interested in the conservation movement, in people doing meaningful things together and “making us ordinary people think about things a bit”.
The documentary will also include a more detailed profile of a few young nature conservationists, what has gotten them involved in the movement and what meanings they see in their actions.
– I am also interested in what kind of sacrifices they have had to make. This requires quite a lot of courage.
Listening to different views
Suutari also considers dialogue and the instructor’s objectivity to be important. Therefore, different views are listened to: already the ground work has included visits and discussions in forest industry companies. He considers meeting different people and views very important.
– Nothing happens in this society if these encounters don’t happen. People who think in different ways and come from different corners of the world must be able to discuss.
Suutari praises the young activists’ way of working. They are polite, ready for a conversation, respect other people’s opinions. In his opinion, many could learn from their dialogue skills.
Filming of the documentary will continue for another year, and the film is scheduled to be shown in early 2024.
*What thoughts did the story evoke? You can participate in the discussion* *with Yle Tunnus* *13.10. until 11 p.m.*