In 1983, one of the most important and significant ecological challenges took place in Tasmania in Australia. There were plans in place to build a hydroelectric dam along the Franklin River, which would have provided gigawatts of hydroelectric power in the area – but would have also caused immeasurable ecological damage.
There were protests through the region, and in the end, the Franklin River remained un-dammed.
40 years after those protests, a new documentary, Franklin, makes its debut in Australian cinemas. The trailer for Franklin can be seen below.
And here’s the synopsis for the documentary. Wow.
Eighth-generation Tasmanian and environmentalist Oliver Cassidy embarks on a life-changing solo rafting trip down the beautiful yet remote Franklin River. His goal is to retrace his late father’s 14-day expedition to attend the blockade that saved the World-Heritage listed national park from being destroyed by a huge hydroelectric dam project in the early 1980s.
Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with key players such as Bob Brown and Uncle Jim Everett, the eight-year-long ‘Franklin campaign’ is revealed as the most significant environmental protest in Australia’s history; an inspiring example of the power of non-violent direct action to bring about lasting change.
Physically challenged beyond his limits, Oliver’s journey is one of healing and deeper understanding as he searches for the right way to say ‘goodbye’ to his father.
Holy shit I want to see this movie. Wow.
Suffice it to say that today, the area along the Franklin River is now designated as a World Heritage protected site. All because people felt it was more important to preserve the environment than to bow to an industrial scheme.
So yeah, I definitely want to see this documentary. But for now, I’ll just settle for this old 1983 music video from one of my favorite Oz Rock bands, Goanna, as they performed under the name “Gordon Franklin and the Wilderness Ensemble,” with a track called “Let the Franklin Flow.”
Chuck The Writer 