HW North Film Festival Edition

By Kim Mercer,

“The moral flabbiness born of the bitch-goddess SUCCESS. That-with the squalid interpretation put on the word success-is our national disease.”
~William James

I put a dollar in one of those change machines.
Nothing changed.
~George Carlin

We are, by nature, an inquisitive bunch. Curiosity leads us to discovery, epiphany, creativity, invention and self-expression. It is by the questions we ask that we are defined and judged each day; as we are too, by those things we do not question, but accept willingly as truth because we are told that’s just the way things are. We are increasingly more aware of the consequences of our actions. Science can show us what the world will look like in 50 years; Oprah’s guests are treated to computer generated images of their future selves complete with sun damage, wrinkles and extra pounds; the dissemination of information allows us, the general public, access to more information than we could ever wish for. Now, more than at any time in history, we are able to predict, prevent and prolong.

All of this knowledge is a wonderful thing-if we use it to effect change. Success depends on acting to make sure that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past, not just patting our clever selves on the back.  Change is palpable. I am hopeful that the pendulum swings away from excess and dogma towards sustainability and acceptance.  Success is horizontal; hierarchies fade in the face of larger, global, challenges.

TCHAD is committed to promoting positive change in the world. While pulling this issue together we met some interesting people, and we laughed and learned a lot! From Green to Slow; from Hollywood to Hollywood North; tomorrow’s leaders, taste-makers, risk-takers and talents…they’re all here! In this issue we study some very stylish people who are committed to entertaining us, informing us, teaching us and improving our way of life. And the good news is we didn’t have to look very far from home.

Neither do you.