SMP sponsors major new Malawi climate crisis feature film

01 September 2021

The Scotland Malawi Partnership was delighted to partner with the ‘Take One Action’ film festival to allow the inspiring new feature-length documentary, ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’, to be shown across Scotland in the run up to COP26.

TOAFF21 Twitter FB The Ants And The Grasshopper 1

The film explores the real, human impact of climate change in Malawi and is being supported by the SMP as part of our ‘Malawi at COP26’ campaign, helping to raise awareness of the climate crisis and the need to listen to our friends in Malawi when Glasgow hosts COP26 in November. ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’ (1h14m) is a moving new feature documentary by Raj Patel and Zak Piper in English and Tumbuka (subtitled).

After the showings we supported members of the Malawi diaspora in Scotland to speak to the audience about their experience of themes explored in the film, including climate change and gender equality.

Watch the Trailer for ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’ here

Film Synopsis:

How do the roots of change grow?

Anita Chitaya seems unstoppable: her tireless work is transforming farming practices in her village in Malawi and turning gender discrimination on its head. But in her battle against drought and extreme weather events, she takes on her greatest challenge yet: persuading Americans that climate change is real.

She visits rural farms and urban food cooperatives across the US, navigating deep national divisions (across race, gender, and the rural-urban divide), while appealing to those in a position of privilege to embrace change with the urgency the climate crisis demands.

TOAFF21 Insta The Ants And The Grasshopper 4
Viewings:

SMP members were invited to join the special public viewings sponsored by the Partnership. They could watch digitally or join in-person at a cinema in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness.

Members only need to pay what they thought they were able (max £10).

Members could watch online anytime Weds 22nd - Sun 26th Sept
Edinburgh screening took place on Fri 24th Sept - Filmhouse - 20:00 to 22:30
Glasgow screening took place on Sat 25th Sept - CCA (Centre for Contemporary Arts) - 19:00 to 21:30
Aberdeen screening took place on Sat 23rd Oct - Belmont Filmhouse - 17:30 to 20:00
Inverness screening took place on Sat 30rd Oct - Eden Court - 17:00 to 19:30

We ask members to help continue to raise awareness of this powerful film, sharing on social media.

TOAFF21 Insta The Ants And The Grasshopper 1
A still from ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’
A still from ‘The Ants and the Grasshopper’

Take One Action Film Festival 2021 Trailer

Watch the trailer for the full Take One Action Film Festival here.

Take One Action Film Festival
Take One Action Film Festival