Parkdale Valley Land Trust, in association with Bergman Productions, is thrilled to announce the January 2024 statewide theater release of the much-anticipated documentary, “An Oregon Story: Saving our Beaches, Farmland and More.”

“Audiences will be taken on a journey through Oregon’s stunning landscapes, from its scenic beaches to its fertile farm and ranch lands,” said Joe Wilson, director of the documentary. “This film is not just about the beauty of Oregon, but also about the farsighted people who fought to protect it and the young generation who is now carrying the torch of environmental stewardship.”

For more information about the event, visit the City of Bandon planning department at CityofBandon.org.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the film begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Sprague Community Theater. Stay after the movie for a Q&A session with film director Trip Jennings, joined by local fire and safety professionals. Admission is $7, and advance tickets are available through Eventbrite.

“Elemental” takes viewers on a journey with the top experts in the nation to better understand fire. We follow the harrowing escape from Paradise as the town ignited from wind-driven embers and burned within a few hours of the fire’s start. We visit fire labs where researchers torch entire houses to learn why some homes burn and others survive. We learn from Native Americans as they employ fire to benefit nature and increase community safety as they have for thousands of years. We follow researchers who work to understand the effects of climate on forests and the crucial role that natural forests play in storing vast amounts of carbon. Along the way we listen to people who have survived the deadliest fires to underscore the importance of this quest.

Five years in the making, “Elemental” is the product of a journey across the United States and into fire affected communities. Produced and edited in Oregon, narrated by David Oyelowo (Emmy & Golden Globe Nominee), supported by National Geographic and Patagonia. Oregon community showings are supported by The Red Cross, The Ford Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and the Oregon Community Foundation.

Watch the trailer, learn more, or contact the documentary production team at ElementalFilm.com. This documentary film is not rated. Viewers can expect intense scenes of fire and loss.

Show time is 7 p.m., Saturday, July 9 at the Sprague Community Theater. Admission is $10, and tickets are available in advance at Bandon Ace Hardware, 840 Hwy 101 in Bandon.

The documentary covers many perspectives, from government, personal encounters, historical archives and Native American perspectives, exploring the American experience of this large and elusive primate. The film is 1 hour, 46 minutes. For more information about this event, contact presenter Stan Avery at 541-347-1910.