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Independent Films for Projection. Conversation starters for educators. Request licensing robert@studio-rla.com

Code of Silence

A short film about the decommissioning of Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, CA. The film was created with GreenAction, Marie Harrison and Bradley Angel. Hunter's Point is one of the most toxic sites the United States, noted for radioactive materials, heavy metals and asbestos. Produced for A&E. Co-Produced and Co-Directed by Susan Utell and Robert Lundahl.

I Met Dr. Munk

Walter Heinrich Munk (October 19, 1917 – February 8, 2019) was an American physical oceanographer. His contributions to the understanding of ocean temperatures and climate change affecting the West Antarctic Ice Shelves cap a long career concerned with climate, among an astounding variety of subjects, beginning with his associations with Roger Revelle and Charles David Keeling at Scripps institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

Climate Change is Here: The Movie

3840x2160 2160p 4K UHD Ultra High Definition Re-Mastered with AI. Digital Projection Print.

The deadly coronavirus made its way to the United States even in the far reaches of Alaska we were advised by our United States government to stay home, stay safe

All of a sudden we were in isolation

Thanks to zoom technology offered for free hosts and media producers like myself were able to continue our work and conduct interviews and share content

In 2021 I started a podcast called Climate Change is Here

This film is a product of this important effort to make the world aware and engage them in this critical conversation about climate change and the real threat it is imposing on people, our environment and the health of both.

The Battle of Blythe

If the American left had fully championed school choice decades ago, we may be celebrating what happened in 1972 in Blythe, Calif. as the spark of a movement.

That spring, the Mexican-American community’s frustration with the public school system boiled over, spurring creation of a scrappy “freedom school” that became Escuela de la Raza Unida, which still exists today.

This lost story from a remote desert town is steeped in the progressive politics of another era.

In Chicano Pride. In empowering the “poor.”

Even in Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers.

Recipient Best Documentary Film Award Tulalip Tribes Hibulb Cultural Center and Museum Film Festival.

Sacred Glass

“Sacred Glass” features the work of stained glass artist Lisa Maywood, as she restores stained glass windows from St. James By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in LaJolla, CA.

Freak Show: Andy Warhol In La Jolla, 1968

With the support of the Andy Warhol Foundation and the Marilyn Monroe Foundation, Tim Bessell and Robert Lundahl/RLA collaborated to create a cultural/historical short titled "Freak Show: Andy Warhol in La Jolla, 1968." Will Griffith, Executive Producer.

Filmmaker, Robert Lundahl, with Tim Bessell. Andy Warhol, Joe Dallesandro, Eric Emerson, Tom Hompertz, Taylor Mead, Ingrid Superstar, Viva, Louis Waldon. Narrated by Tim Bessell. Voices of Andy Warhol, Joe Dallesandro. 2015 © Robert Lundahl & Tim Bessell.

Dead Men Tell No Lies

Journalist Tim King (Salem-News.Com) revisits his old base, El Toro Naval Marine Air Station, to witness its decommissioning and report on the toxic legacy there.

Turning the Titanic

ADDY AWARD WINNER San Diego attorney and environmental policy expert, John Reaves, discusses the Fee and Dividend concept for addressing climate change globally. in this clever and deeply sarcastic portrayal of the last 50 years of his life passing before his eyes. Starring Richard Nixon and Elvis. Citizen’s Climate Lobby.
Comment from Caterina Linman:

An excellent video. It explains the concept clearly, and it shows the benefits really well. It takes the often depressing topic of Climate Change and shows a hopeful strategy for addressing the issues.

Secrets in the Ice is a video press release for clients Empowered Energy Solutions and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It discusses the work of Charles David Keeling, the Keeling Curve, and the foundations of Climate Science at Scripps. ADDY Award Winner.

Nature’s Touch Climate Change is Here Radio and Podcast Promo. With The Greenbelt Society, Hunter College and Pratt institute.

The Village of Tse-Whit-Zen

A 1,700- to 2,700-year-old village of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe located along the Port Angeles, Washington waterfront, it was located at the base of Ediz Hook on the Olympic Peninsula.

During construction in August 2003 of a graving dock associated with replacement of the Hood Canal Bridge, the village's cemetery and other prehistoric remains were discovered.

The construction project was abandoned at this site because of the importance of the find, as the village was intact. It is the largest pre-European contact village site excavated in Washington State.

Aztec Sickness (Save the Geoglyphs) 4K Ultra High Definition Music Video

Jess Fig Jesus Chuey Zapata Figueroa lays down some sick tracks in support of ancient geoglyphs threatened by large solar development.

This video is shot at the Blythe Intaglios, giant human figures visible from space, and related to hundreds of others populating the desert along the Colorado River from Needles to Yuma.

Geoglyphs are also found outside San Diego, and East as far as the Phoenix area in Arizona.

In the midst of production on the feature length, “Who Are My People?’ accompanied by global PR outreach, Chuey Zapata, aka Jess Fig, or Jesse Figueroa wrote and perormed “Aztec Sickness.” It covers the credit sequence of the motion picture.

Jesse, with a mix of indigenous heritage including Chemehuevi, Opota, Yaqui and other Nahuatl speaking tribal roots, joining 6 million other Nahuatl speakers from Salt Lake City to Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).

The song’s title is a double entendre, since there was an actual Aztec Sickness in history, co–incident with the smallpox epidemics, following European contact. it was known as "Cocoliztli," which was likely caused by a deadly form of salmonella or possibly a hemorrhagic fever.

The disease, along with smallpox, played a significant role in the decline of the Aztec Empire. Here, Jess Fig enjoys a modern performative experience at the “Blythe Intagios,” human forms up to 200 ft. in length, etched into desert patina by long passed relatives.

The Business of Lavender

A visit to Angel Farm with Cathy and Leon Angel immerses one in fragrance and color to the delight of the senses. It is exerpted from the Feature Documentary “Harvest Dreams,” which profiles four farms and four farming families on Washington’s beautiful Olympic Peninsula.

Bad Soil

This is a short film about the housing crisis of 2008/2009 and what has become known as the Great Recession. The 2008 financial crisis was primarily caused by derivatives in the mortgage market.

The issues with derivatives arise when investors hold too many, being overleveraged, and are not able to meet margin calls if the value of the derivative moves against them.

In the community of Hutto, Texas, families bought houses only to find, in a short period of time, that construction defects plagued their new investments. Cracks in driveways, walls, and ceilings were common, along with shifting, popping, and other "poltergeist" like events.

It turns out the developer built these homes on expansive clay soils, prone to swelling and retracting. HUD documents were forged to disguise the situation.

These former cotton fields had other tales to tell, however. As foundations split, it turns out the ground underneath is contaminated with arsenic. Kids playing in the yard would be subject to these toxins.

State of Texas requirements for voluntary cleanup had no enforcement and homeowners were stranded with mortgages underwater from close to the moment of sale, as home values plummeted and developers refused to buy back properties.

Written by Robert Lundahl and Susan Utell and and directed by Robert Lundahl. Created for A&E Network.

"Success"

“Success” describes local success and personal transformation engendered at Palo Verde College.

Climate Change Not Business as Usual is a video press release for clients Empowered Energy Solutions and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It discusses the work of Jeff Severinghaus PhD, and Climate Science at Scripps. ADDY AWard Winner.

Don Alfredo Figueroa: The Aztec Sunstone Calendar

In honor of Earth Day, 2012, RL | A is beginning to release several short videos on-line featuring Elder Historian and Chemehuevi Cultural Monitor, Don Alfredo Figueroa, on the Nahua perspective as we come to the end of the 5th Sun of the Aztec Calendar.

Key informant interviews are qualitative research methods used to gather in-depth information from individuals who have specialized knowledge or insights about a particular community, culture, or social issue.

My Best Work Tim Bessell of Bessell Custom Surfboards tells us what it takes to get the job done. Directed by Robert Lundahl.