Defendant 5

Told from the perspective of filmmaker Heidi Douglas—who is the titular “Defendant 5” of the so-called Gunns 20 (a group of activists sued for $8 million by the Gunns Limited logging company of Australia)—this documentary illustrates how the camera can serve as both a tool of activism and a trap. In 2001, Douglas began filming the harvest of some of the oldest-growth trees in the world (in Tasmania), documenting the health effects of logging on nearby communities, including respiratory issues reported by residents from the fine wood dust that was created by processing operations. Along the way, Douglas crossed the line from simply being a documentarian to becoming an activist. She was hired by Australia's The Wilderness Society to help build an emotional case against logging operations, including capturing scenes of clearcutting, the burning of large swaths of land, and the poisoning of wildlife. Her film work caught people's attention, sparking a familiar battle of environmental concerns vs. industry and jobs. Gunns launched a lawsuit that accused activists of conspiracy to harm the company—targeting members of The Wilderness Society and a local politician, among others. The protesting of logging operations brought people together, but the legal proceedings took on more of a personal nature—with many lacking the financial resources for an ongoing legal battle. In the case of Douglas, her footage was used by Gunns as evidence in their lawsuit against the 20. A powerful look at the personal costs of committed activism, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Block)