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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

We’re in a race: Avoiding extinction is the prize

Dan Webster

As an alternative to "Tomorrowland," which I commented on below, one of the films playing at the 41st Seattle International Film Festival is the call-to-action documentary "Racing Extinction." Directed by Louie Psihoyos, the man who gave us "The Cove," the documentary is an attempt to call attention to the devastating effects humans are having on the Earth — specifically on the numerous other species with which we share the planet.

What with the various presidential campaigns getting under way, and at least some of the candidates making some outrageously obtuse statements, movies such as "Racing Extinction" — and even "Tomorrowland" — are more important than ever. It'd be nice, though, if such calls to action included some basic, direct suggestions for how to fix the problem.

Voting your conscience is always a good thing. But when has it ever been enough?

SIFF will screen "Racing Extinction" at 7:15 p.m. Friday at the SIFF Cinema Uptown. Director Psihoyos and coproducer Gina Papabeis are scheduled to attend. Click here for information on how to score tickets.