ENVIRONMENT

Astronauts say that if you see Madagascar from space it looks like it’s bleeding, with all its red soil leaching into the Indian Ocean.

It is estimated that as much as a third of the country is burned each year through a slash-and-burn practice known locally as tavy, which makes way for rice fields. They themselves often become exhausted in a matter of years, and the scrub vegetation that emerges down the line is seldom sufficient to fully anchor soils and prevent further erosion.

Alternative land management practices seem to be essential here if people are to enjoy a sustainable future. Our programme compliments they myriad efforts towards positive change taking place in Madagascar, catalysing discussion and speaking through the language of hope, imagination and possibility.

  • Madagascar: Young girl with one of our lemur puppets.

  • Community shadow puppet story about a man who saves the forest.

  • In his vision, Simon finds terraced hillsides full of richly made compost.

  • Community shadow show scene: With the trees cut down all the insect life has vanished.

  • Boys show off fabulous artistic skills with their farming shadow puppets.

  • Damaged hillsides visible behind this community gathering, Madagascar.

  • Snake puppet. Curiously, none of the country’s indigenous reptiles are poisonous.

A Story Both Old and New

  • "The story I'm about to tell you," says Tree, magically coming to life, "is both old and new. It is a story and therefore not real, but many of the things in it are absolutely true.”

  • Simon's wife is pregnant. They have land, but it has become barren and useless, and Simon must go to the forest and cut down trees to make new fields to feed his family.

  • As he draws his machete to cut down the ancient Tree, it speaks to him: "If you spare me, I will help you in the future." Simon agrees, and later a bird stops him and makes the same pledge.

  • Simon cannot believe his ears when another creature, a lemur, confronts him too. In thanks for sparing the forest's trees, the lemur leads him to a clearing. "This will change your life," it says.

  • Here, Simon has a vision. In it, a beautiful plot of land flourishes with rich, composted soil, terraces, and the full support of the natural world. And the old farmer, there’s something familiar about him…

  • An old woman and two girls appear. It’s Simon’s wife! His children! Simon realises this is a vision of his own future – a possible future, at least. Whether it becomes real is now up to him.

A FARMER’S TALE: CLIP
A film about Possible Futures

Simon enters the forest in a desperate bid to clear new land to feed his young family, and comes upon a vision of an old man in a clearing with a beautiful and abundant plot. It transpires that this old man is Simon himself in a positive future made possible through more sustainable farming techniques, working in greater harmony with nature. The contrast is clear and abrupt – abundance, or desolation. Indeed, it’s ultimately a choice we all face.