
Producer, Director, Writer, Editor: Melissa Troutman
INVISIBLE HAND – Rights of Nature Documentary
From Executive Producer Mark Ruffalo comes a “Paradigm Shifting” story about the current global battle between capitalism and democracy where the fight for our survival is at stake.
In the fall of 2014, for the first time in United States history, an ecosystem filed to defend itself in a lawsuit claiming its ‘right to exist’ in Grant Township, Pennsylvania. For attempting such a radical act, Grant’s rural community of 700 people were sued by a corporation, then by the state government, and also locked in a battle to defend the watershed they call home through civil disobedience. The water they drink, the Rights to Nature laws they’ve passed are all on the line in this exclusive story.
Half a continent away in Standing Rock, North Dakota, the same industry threatening Grant Township is using militarized force against indigenous tribes and allies fighting to protect Mother Earth. The two, Grant Township and Standing Rock, are joined in an international fight to protect more than just water. They fight for their community, democracy, and for Nature as a living entity unto itself.
In the end, “Who will speak for Nature?”
Watch Films for the Planet’s Interview with award-winning directors, Joshua B. Pribanic and Melissa Troutman during Global Freshwaters Film Summit
Visit the film’s website to apply for Educational and Institutional Licensing for educational use. There you will find additional information on licensing, public performance rights, and virtual screenings.
Whether you want to start a movement, fundraise, create policy change, or inspire action–film is the catalyst to bring your classroom, organization, or community together to learn, interact and ignite collective solutions.
Here are some suggestions to make your event meaningful and memorable:
The film’s website provides educational resources including:
- Rights of Nature Legislative Examples, History, Timeline, Documents & References
- Legislation Examples & Bills: Worldwide Examples & References
The film’s website offers a list of organizations that viewers can donate to in support of environmental causes. The list includes organizations such as International Tribunal for the Rights of Nature, Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN), Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), and Earth Law Center to name a few.
You can also watch and support the film on Patreon.
The film is available to all Public Herald Patrons for ($1) on Patreon.
Click HERE to watch the Virtual World Premiere of INVISIBLE HAND, September 4th, 2020. Ruffalo joined a public discussion with the film’s award-winning directors, Joshua B. Pribanic and Melissa Troutman, and Rights of Nature experts who are featured in the doc. The group opened up a Q&A to talk about how this movement can actually create the systemic cultural change we need.
The film’s website includes notable reviews about the film and articles on the Rights of Nature: