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Written by Francesca Serafini<\/em><\/p>\n As part of the Right to Say No Campaign, we hosted the Lands in Resistance documentary screening and discussion that gave voice to those who rarely make it to the mainstream stage: communities directly affected by mining projects. Instead of boardrooms and parliamentary halls, these stories come from mountains, forests, and communities under threat. We presented two powerful documentary films:<\/p>\n At a time when the so-called green transition<\/em> is accelerating, with politicians calling for more mining to extract lithium and other materials for a \u201ccleaner future,\u201d we ask: Before the lights went out\u2026<\/strong> After the screening\u2026<\/strong> Beyond the reflection cards, spontaneous discussions also emerged, particularly after the screening of the first documentary on mining in the Global South. The conversation quickly expanded to include extractivism as a broader issue, not only affecting communities in the South but also increasingly present in the Global North. The audience reflected on the European Union’s role in the ongoing expansion of extractive activities. In the race for critical raw materials to fuel the green transition, the EU has selected a list of mining projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act.<\/p>\n A small detail? Local communities were not consulted during the decision-making process. Among the selected projects is a mining project in Serbia, developed by global giant Rio Tinto, which disregarded the will of the Serbian people. The Act also includes the project featured in the film Savanna and the Mountain that local populations have been resisting for years. Hence, this conversation naturally anticipated the themes explored in the second film, Savanna and the Mountain, creating a sense of continuity and connection between the two screenings.<\/p>\n The Illusion of Abundance<\/strong> And the audience reacted powerfully.<\/strong> \u201cIt makes me sad not to have known about this. People are being killed, and we hear nothing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n A driving force towards action also emerged, leading to a reconsideration and expansion of knowledge:<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m from Bolivia, and I saw so many parallels with what\u2019s happening there, especially how <\/em>governments prioritise mining over human rights.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe movie challenges my assumptions about development actors! And it highlighted how much <\/em>more organised and widespread environmental activists are in the Global South, more than is <\/em>perceived in Europe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThank you for bringing this to our attention. We need to change our way of life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n And finally, some felt the strength and hope that come from action and connection. Inspired by the empowerment of communities resisting, many found new courage and motivation.<\/p>\n \u201cThis movie inspired me deeply in the sense that I always thought it was too difficult, not to say <\/em>impossible (or even useless) for communities to resist against corporations because it feels like <\/em>nothing can change, BUT IT ACTUALLY CAN.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe courage of these women is inspiring. They don\u2019t sell out, no matter what\u2019s offered to them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n
\nAt what cost? Whose land? Whose health? Whose life?<\/p>\n
\nBefore the screenings began, we shared heartfelt video messages from the directors, offering their insights and intentions behind each work. These personal introductions framed the evening and reminded us that filmmaking is also a form of activism.<\/p>\n
\nWe invited the audience to share their thoughts and reflections on cards, some of which we share below. These contributions were a fundamental part of the collective experience we created around the screenings. They offered not just reactions, but deep and often emotional responses that enriched the space of dialogue and connection.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/catapa.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Untitled-design-72-e1746008671978.png?resize=640%2C421&ssl=1\")
\n<\/strong>Screening of the Illusion of Abundance at Pangea, KU Leuven on the 11th March<\/p>\n
\nThis film follows three women from Honduras to Brazil to Peru: Bertha C\u00e1ceres, Carolina de Moura, and M\u00e1xima Acu\u00f1a. They confront some of the world’s most powerful transnational corporations. Despite constant threats, repression, and personal risk, they continue their fight to defend their communities, their environment, and their future. It\u2019s a film about courage and imbalance: how those who profit from destruction are rarely held accountable, and how those who resist are often the ones who pay the price.<\/p>\n
\nFrom the frustration and sadness in the face of fundamental issues that are still too little known and discussed,<\/p>\n
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