The 29th United Nations Association Film Festival is underway at locations in the Mid-Peninsula and San Francisco. Today (Oct. 21) at 3:40 p.m. the film “Saving Walden’s World” will be shown at Eastside College Preparatory School, 1041 Myrtle St., in East Palo Alto, with free admission.
Saving Walden’s World follows former arms dealer Jim Merkel, who experiences an ethical crisis after realizing his work harms families abroad. Embarking on a decades-long journey of redemption, Jim raises his son Walden–a budding scientist–in an off-the-grid homestead. He wonders: could the very people his past life targeted hold the keys to a sustainable planet? A journey into “enemy” territory ensues, meeting powerful women who reshape society to work for all. Far from affluent utopias, Kerala, Cuba and Slovenia are decades ahead in progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, offering women free college, contraception, maternity leave, childcare, dentistry and healthcare–services unimaginable in much of Jim’s blue-collar America.
It’s one of several intriguing films the festival will present today. Go here for a complete schedule.
