David Chernushenko’s environmentalist documentary debuted at the Mayfair Theatre earlier this month.
The Ottawa arts community has a new ally on city council.
Capital Ward councillor-elect David Chernushenko understands all too well the difficulties of raising money for the arts in Ottawa.
“I think the arts community will know that they have a friend in me in the sense that I know what it’s like to try to raise funds to make art,” Chernushenko says.
He knows the issues facing the arts community because his second documentary film, Powerful: Energy for Everyone, premiered at the Mayfair Theatre on Nov. 2.
Getting the word out about the film was difficult because there are few avenues through which to show Canadian documentaries, Chernushenko says.
The difficulties of showing the film were only intensified by funding problems because it’s very hard to meet the requirements for government tax credits.
The film became a labour of love and Chernushenko had to find alternative ways to fundraise. Much of the fundraising, which was necessary for the amount of travel he did for the film, was done through personal connections.
In the film, which Chernushenko directed, produced and starred in, he travels from North America to Europe in search of cities that are working with sustainable energy.
Chernushenko explored possibilities ranging from wind energy in Denmark to underground waste collection in Sweden.
Documenting the ideas that work makes the film very positive, unlike many other “doom and gloom” films in the genre, says co-producer Michael Dobbin.
Chernushenko’s dedication to sustainability is what inspired Dobbin to get involved in the project, but as a city councillor, Chernushenko will be able to have a lasting impact on the arts community.
“Because David is a filmmaker himself, I think he understands the worm’s eye view of what it’s like to be an artist and what it’s like to be an artist particularly in this city . . . it’s going to give him that perspective to be able to deal with the challenges that artists face.”
In order to help artists with those challenges, Chernushenko says he hopes to push for provincial funding because there’s not much that can be done at the city level.
Chernushenko wants to make it easier to apply for tax credits and change television broadcasting requirements to include more Canadian documentaries.
He wants to see those changes made because of his new-found love for filmmaking which he melds with his passion for the environment and sustainability – a passion that residents of his ward appreciate very much.
Capital Ward resident Ian McMaster says he is looking forward to the changes and influence Chernushenko will have in this area.
With sustainability being an issue on the minds of many, Canadian Olympic rower Adam Kreek, who toured much of the U.S. with Chernushenko, says everyone needs to start somewhere when it comes to sustainable energy.
“It doesn’t matter where you start, just start . . . because we get empowered by success,” says Kreek.
Chernushenko says it was his first success as a filmmaker that has inspired this one.
Chernushenko’s first film, Be the Change, garnered a lot of positive attention. Chernushenko says he wanted to see if that would translate to a second film.
With a packed house at a June preview screening at the Museum of Civilization and about 190 people in attendance at the Mayfair Theatre premiere, so far audiences have been very receptive.
Mayfair audience member Krista Reid says she really enjoyed the film and that it’s necessary to educate citizens about sustainability in order to move forward on environmental issues.
Part of Chernushenko’s artistic and sustainable ideas for the city rest on beautifying our daily lives, something he says he will work towards on city council.
“I’ll certainly be a champion for the importance of art and culture in our lives and in our city and should I find my fellow councillors not understanding of that, I will make the case with them,” he says.
“Wherever you live, it’s great if you can have art in your lives.”