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A Chemical Reaction explores how the elimination of lawn pesticides transformed one community in Canada, and how their actions impacted the chemical lawn care industry in North America. Centered on the small town of Hudson, Quebec which was the first municipality in North America to ban common lawn and garden pesticides, the 75-minute film explores a landmark case decided in the Canadian Supreme Court in 2001. After the Court’s 9-0 verdict against the billion-dollar lawn care giant then known as ChemLawn, most Canadian provinces followed Hudson’s lead and enacted pesticide bans of their own.

The movie is free to the public, a $5.00 donation is suggested. Screening begins at 7 p.m., seating opens at 6:30 p.m. This film is presented by the Healthy Communities Project in partnership with the Shorewood Conservation Committee and the School District of Shorewood.

“A Chemical Reaction is a great example of how motivated individuals can create change to improve public health,” said Melanie Ariens, of Healthy Communities Project.

Directed by Brett Plymale, A Chemical Reaction is described as “rousing” and was awarded four out of five stars by the film critics of the Montreal Gazette prior to its World Premiere in the fall of 2009. Since then the film has been earning awards and accolades at various film festivals, university screenings and other public venues. “Having visited Wisconsin several times in the past few years, I think the state is one of the few in the U.S. that could really be ready to embrace pesticide reform legislation,” said Paul Tukey, narrator of the film and founder of SafeLawns.org. - a non-profit organization dedicated to reduction in the use of lawn and garden pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers. It has produced a series of high-profile campaigns since its inception in 2006.

About The Film Series: The School District of Shorewood is pleased to announce the debut of a new cinematic series during the 2010-2011 school year. The district is partnering with several organizations throughout the year to present films and related presentations that relate to an organization’s focus. A Chemical Reaction is the first film presented in this series, by the Healthy Communities Project of Milwaukee in partnership with the Shorewood Conservation Committee and the School District of Shorewood.

The series is scheduled for the following Tuesdays: November 2, February 1, March 8 and May 17. More details will be posted on the district’s website.