"Stunning" - The Hollywood Reporter

Imagine a world without birdsong...

Join us at the Rio Theatre for a very special Vancouver Bird Week screening of director Su Rynard's contemplative and visually stunning THE MESSENGER, a documentary that explores our deep-seated connection to birds and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might mirror our own. We are very honoured that legendary environmental activist and educator David Suzuki will be introducing the film, which will also be followed with a Q&A featuring Steven Price, president of Bird Studies Canada, and others.

THE MESSENGER is an international story that mesmerizes audiences with stunning slow-motion sequences of songbirds in night flight – all the while chronicling the struggle of songbirds worldwide to survive the turbulent environmental conditions brought about by humans. Moving from the northern reaches of the Boreal Forest to the base of Mount Ararat in Turkey to the streets of New York, THE MESSENGER brings us face-to-face with a remarkable variety of human-made perils that have devastated thrushes, warblers, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks and many other airborne music-makers. Akin to the disappearance of the honeybee or the melting of glaciers, the film argues that the global demise of songbirds signals an uncertain shift in an already fragile ecosystem and explores our deep-seated connection to birds, while warning that the uncertain fate of songbirds might mirror our own. THE MESSENGER leaves viewers with a profound appreciation for the billions of birds with whom we share our communities and our planet – and with hope for our collective ability to turn the tide.

Special thanks to our partners at Vancouver Bird Week, Bird Studies Canada, and the First Weekend Club for helping us to promote this event.

THE MESSENGER
Wednesday, May 11

Doors 5:00pm | Show 6:00pm

Tickets $13 advance / $15 at the door

*All ages OK in the balcony! Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
**Sorry, Groupons and passes not accepted for this screening.

THE MESSENGER (Su Rynard, 2015 | 90 mins) THE MESSENGER is an artful investigation into the causes of songbird mass depletion and the compassionate people who are working to turn the tide. The film takes viewers on a visually stunning journey revealing how the problems facing birds also pose daunting implications for our planet and ourselves.