“This is a marvellous film, strong in narrative, imagery, argument and character.” - Inside Story

Seasoned filmmaker Tom Zubrycki (Molly & Mobarak, MIFF 2003; The Diplomat, MIFF 2000) shows the very human face of climate change with this urgent documentary.

In his latest work, Zubrycki grapples with the human toll of climate change: specifically, the hungry tide slowly drowning the Pacific nation of Kiribati, the lowest-lying nation on earth.

Maria Tiimon, a Kiribati woman living in Sydney, is passionate about her homeland and is determined to raise the world's awareness of its predicament. Shy at first, we watch her grow in confidence as she takes her country's message to the Copenhagen Climate Conference, and a year later to Cancun.

However, right from the start, Maria's struggles to find a balance between her personal life and her advocacy work. Her family back on the islands is increasingly dependant on her support, and there's a burgeoning relationship with a young man her father's never met.

Back on Kiribati the nation slowly deteriorates. Fragile sea walls are crumbling, and storm tides are sweeping into villages. The urbane President Tong says his county lacks the resources to fix these problems. The eventual relocation of his people is inevitable, he believes: “We have to assume the worst.”

One day Maria receives news from her family that her beloved father is very ill. She must return home immediately…

Tom Zubrycki is a guest of the Festival.

D/P Tom Zubrycki WS JOTZ L English, Kiribati w/English subtitles TD HD Cam/2011