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A Bold Peace

Professor Michael Dreiling will be screening his film A Bold Peace in 156 Straub this coming Thursday, 6-8pm for students. There will be plenty of extra seats if you are interested and available.

A week later, the film will be screened at the Bijou on 13th, 6-8pm, Nov. 3rd. More info and tickets are available online here: http://www.encirclefilms.org/

And then two weeks later, the film will be playing at the Eugene International Film Festival – times and dates TBD.

About the Film:

Produced and Directed by:  Matthew Eddy and Michael Dreiling

Released in the Summer of 2016, A Bold Peace, the recipient of several awards, is now screening at several film festivals in the U.S. and UK. Check back, or like us on Facebook for information about viewing or purchasing the film.

Over 60 years ago, Costa Rica became one of the only nations in the world to disband their military and to redirect national resources towards education, health, and the environment. Since then, Costa Rica has earned the number one spot in the Happy Planet Index, a ranking of countries based on measures of environmental protection and the happiness and health of its citizens.  And the World Database of Happiness, with data on 149 nations compiled by a Dutch sociologist, lists Costa Rica as number one in self-reported happiness and number one in happy life years.

A Bold Peace juxtaposes the national policy of demilitarization (since 1948-49) with their investment in education, health, and the environment. Pointed parallels and contrasts are made with recent U.S. debates over the national debt, healthcare, the environment and the escalating cost of U.S. militarism. The film features former presidents, officials and scholars from the UN University for Peace, the University of Costa Rica, Costa Rican government officials and ambassadors, leaders of major national co-operatives, as well as journalists and citizens of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, the Costa Rican example has received very little international attention. This documentary film will bring attention to Costa Rica’s inspirational national project, answering why happiness, health, and human rights occupy a relatively prominent place in this Central American country.