Shortly before John Lennon died, he told his son Julian, “If anything ever happens to me, look for a white feather and you’ll know I’m there, looking out for you.”
Decades after his death, John returned to Julian when tribal elders from around the world handed Julian a white feather — a symbol of peace. The moment is captured in “whaledreamers,” a 2006 documentary produced by Julian, now 45.
For the film, 10 years in the making, Julian gathered 85 aboriginal tribal leaders to reveal their profound connections to the whale and their accounts of fighting forces that have pushed their tribes to near extinction.
You can see the tribes’ powerful experiences Saturday and Sunday, when Baltimore Inspirational Films hosts screenings of “whaledreamers.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit Greenpeace.
“It’s extremely important in this day and age to try to reconnect with our past and all of the different cultures,” Julian said in a recorded interview released to the media. “They give us a great deal of wealth and understanding about this planet. The fact that they’ve survived over thousands of years and are still here and still strong, it goes to show the incredible strength and heart in all of us that if we want to survive and continue living on this beautiful planet we must respect it.”
Seeing “whaledreamers” will not only help Greenpeace protect threatened animals such as the whale, it will also potentially secure future screenings of “whaledreamers” for audiences across the country.
“A large part of this screening and others is to see if there’s interest in the film,” said Robin Cushner of Baltimore Inspirational Films. “The whole idea is to try to get mainstream theaters to start showing these kinds of ‘movies with a message.’
“The money [crisis] comes and goes, but the one thing we can always depend upon is nature if we respect it,” Cushner continued. “‘Whaledreamers’ started with the gathering [of tribal leaders.] The film then talks about oil drilling, gas prices, the tsunami, 9/11, global warming, nuclear weapons. And in all that, what constantly comes up is the theme of hope through unity. We don’t have to become extinct.”
IF YOU GO
Julian Lennon’s whaledreamers Baltimore premiere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Your Perscription for Health Learning Center
10210 S. Dolfield Rd.
Owings Mills
Cost: $10 cash only, portion of proceeds benefits Greenpeace International. Popcorn and beverages provided.
Info: [email protected], 410-581-9022
