As soil vanishes and ecosystems falter, the must-see Québécois documentary HUMUS follows two market gardeners on a profound journey to rebuild our relationship with the living world — one rooted in humility, interdependence, and hope.
Guided by ancient wisdom and ecological science, their story offers a powerful model for regenerative farming and food resilience. Join us after the screening for a panel and dialogue with local farmers who are walking this path right here in our own community.
THE PANELISTS
Michael Silver – Earth Temple Gardens
Brian Goldstein – Zero Fox Tree Crops
Rachael Roussin – Kootenay Boundary Farm Advisors
Saturday, November 8, 7:00pm-9:15pm, Shambhala Hall (Selkirk College), Nelson, BC, MAP
FILMS
Humus
(2022, Canada, 94min) [FR with Eng Sub]
According to the FAO, the earth’s topsoil could vanish within 60 years, worn away by erosion. Aware that time is running out, a pair of market gardeners strive to implement nature’s fundamental principles in their fields in an attempt to forge a new alliance with all living organisms, a stance that requires great humility. Their quest is guided by ancient and new-found knowledge that confirms the interdependence of all that lives, the result of millions of years of co-evolution.
Les sols partent en poussière. Selon l’Organisation des Nations unies pour l’agriculture et l’alimentation (FAO), la totalité des terres arables de la planète pourraient avoir disparu d’ici 60 ans. Un sort qui guette même nos riches terres noires de la Montérégie. Devant l’urgence d’instaurer un autre rapport avec la nature, François D’Aoust a choisi il y a quinze ans d’être responsable d’un petit bout de terre dans l’univers. Tournant le dos à l’approche extractiviste qui traite le sol comme une mine à ciel ouvert, ce maraîcher et sa compagne travaillent à mettre en oeuvre dans leurs jardins les grands principes de la nature, à la recherche d’une nouvelle alliance avec le vivant. Des savoirs anciens et nouveaux les guident sur ce chemin, des savoirs qui réaffirment la complexité d’un monde interdépendant, fruit de milliards d’années de coévolution.
Director: Carole Poliquin
AWARDS: Nominated for Best Music at the Canadian Screen Awards and for Best Cinematography and Best Music at Gala Québec Cinéma
PRESENTING PARTNER
The Call of the Farm (Earth Temple Gardens)
(2022, Canada, 5min)
Nestled between mountains, Meadow Creek is home to Michael Silver’s organic farm, Earth Temple Gardens. In this Story from the BC Farmers’ Market Trail, watch Michael as he navigates farm life, being a single father, and building a community amongst the farm employees and local customers he swaps stories with week to week at the Kaslo Saturday Market. Meet more local farmers, makers, and artisans at Kootenay Rockies & Columbia Basin Farmers’ Markets.
Executive Producer: BC Association of Farmers’ Markets
