CommonGroundMedia,Inc.Presents

Dirt!TheMovie

SalesContact: PressContacts:TracyJ.Brown MaggieBegley CommonGroundMedia,Inc. MaggieBegleyCommunications 3103997793 3103011785tjbrown@earthlink.net Maggie@mbcprinc.com

AFilmbyGeneRosowandBillBenensonNarratedbyJamieLeeCurtis

Dirt!TheMovieDirt!TheMovieisaninsightfulandtimelyfilmthattellsthestoryofthegloriousandunappreciatedmaterialbeneathourfeet.Oneteaspoonofdirtcontainsabillionorganismsworkinginremarkablebalancetomaintainandsustainaseriesofcomplex,thrivingcommunitiesthatimpactourdailylives.InspiredbyWilliamBryantLogan’sacclaimedbookDirt:TheEcstaticSkinoftheEarth,Dirt!TheMovietakesahumorousandsubstantiallookintothehistoryandcurrentstateofthelivingorganicmatterthatwecomefromandwilllaterreturnto.AneclecticgroupofparticipantsrangingfrombiologiststoprisonersincarceratedonRikersIslandofferanswerstoproblemsandinspireustocleanupthemessthatwe’vecreated.Dirt!TheMoviewillmakeyouwanttogetdirty.Dirt!TheMovieisdirectedbyBillBenensonandGeneRosowandproducedthroughCommonGroundMedia,Inc.,anon‐profitfoundation.

ABOUTTHEFILMDirt!TheMovieintroducesviewerstodirt’sfascinatinghistory.Fourbillionyearsofevolutionhavecreatedthedirtthatrecyclesourwater,givesusfood,providesusshelter,andthatcanbeusedasasourceofmedicine,beautyandculture.However,peoplehavebecomegreedyandcareless,endangeringthisvitallivingresourcewithdestructivemethodsofagriculture,miningpractices,andurbandevelopment.Theworddirthasbecome“dirty”.Thisabusivebehaviorhasyieldedcatastrophicresults,whichthefilmdoesnotshyawayfrom:massstarvation,drought,floodsandglobalwarming.Dirt!TheMovieprovesthattimesarechanging.Brownisthenewgreen.Morethan25renownedglobalvisionariesincountriesaroundtheworldarediscoveringnewwaysofthinkingastheycometogethertorepairthisnaturalresourcewithpractical,viablesolutions.TheseparticipantsincludeBillLogan,AndyLipkis,Dr.VandanaShiva,FritjofCapra,PierreRabhi,WangariMaathai,WesJacksonandMajoraCarter.

Tocapturetheseprescientpeopleandtheirinspiringstories,theproductionteamfilmedinmorethan20locations,includingArgentina,Brazil,France,India,Kenya,andseveralregionsoftheUnitedStates.Ontheirjourney,thefilmmakersfound:

• farmersandagronomistsre‐discoveringsustainableagriculture• tinyvillagesstandingupfortheirrighttofeedtheirfamilies• scientistsdiscoveringconnectionswithsoilthatcanhelpreduceglobal

warmingincludingwaystogenerateelectricityfromsoilsandsediments• inmatesfindinginnerpeaceandjobskillsinaprisonhorticultureprogram• childrenuncoveringthesecretsofsoilfertilityandeatingfromedible

schoolyards.Dirt!TheMovieuncoversthesurprisingwayswecanrepairourrelationshipwithdirtandcreatenewpossibilitiesforalllifeonearth.Youmayneverlookatthegroundbeneathyourfeetquitethesame.

FILMMAKERCOMMENTSWhenBillBenensonandGeneRosowdecidedtomakethedocumentaryDirt!TheMovie,theyknewtheywouldnotmakeatraditionalsoilsciencedocumentary.“DirtisalivingengineforlifeonEarth,”saysBenenson.“Itrecycleseverythingthatfallstotheground.Ifwedidn’thavealivingskinontheEarth,wewouldn’texist.”“Wearetreatingdirtasastory,notatopic,”Rosowadds.“Wewantpeopletostartoffwithanemotionalconnectiontodirt.Thenwewanttoinstillasenseofcautionaboutthedestructivethingswearedoingtonatureanddirtandhowthosebehaviorsimpactourdailylives.”ThegenesisforthefilmcamewhenBenensonwasgivenacopyofWilliamBryantLogan’sbookDirt:TheEcstaticSkinoftheEarth,inwhichLoganwroteaseriesofessaysthatelevateddirttoanewlevelofimportancebylookingatthenumerousrolesdirtplaysineverydaylife.Benensonwasintrigued,andshareditwithRosow,aformerstudentofbiochemistry,cellularphysiologyandecology.“Afterreadingthebook,IrealizedhowoutoftouchIhadbecomewiththegroundbeneathmyfeet.Likemostcitypeople,Itakedirtforgranted,”Rosowsays.

“Thechallengeforafilmmakerwas,howdoyoumakethissubjectinteresting?”Benensonadds.“Wetrytogivepeoplehopeandempowerthemtoseethepossibilitiesandtheirpotentialtochangethings.”BenensonandRosowwantDirt!TheMovietoplayaroleineducationaloutreachaswell.Thefilmanditswebsite,www.dirtthemovie.org,linkviewerswithavarietyofactivistsandenvironmentalorganizations.Thesegroupsandsitesofferpracticalinformationonbeingpartofthesolution.“It’sallaboutsustainability,”Benensonsays.

PRODUCTIONHISTORYOverthethreeyearsoflocationfilmingforDirt!TheMovie,directorsBillBenensonandGeneRosowgotalittledirty.Inthattime,theyfilmedinmorethan20locations,includingArgentina,Brazil,France,India,Kenya,andseveralregionsoftheUnitedStates.Thechoiceoflocationswasdrivenbyadesiretointerviewtherenownedglobalvisionarieswhoareleadingthechargetorepairthisnaturalresource.BillLogan,theauthorofthebookfromwhichthefilmtakeitsinspiration,workedwiththeteamonseveraloccasions,leadingthemtoafishcompostingcenterinMaine,theCathedralofSt.JohntheDivineinNewYorkCity,theLandInstituteinKansas,beforepointingthewaytoChimayo,NewMexico.Dirt!TheMovietravelledtotheRikersIslandprisonsysteminNewYorkCity,thelargestpenalcolonyintheworld,with14,000inmates,10jails‐andtwogardens.Ofthethousandsofprisonerswhoservetheirsentenceswithinitsgraywalls,aselectgroupofmenandwomenaregiventhechancetolearnaboutdirt.WangariMaathai,NobelPeacePrizeLaureate,ledtheproductiontoKenya,whereherGreenBeltMovementinspiresagroupofcourageouswomentosavetheirforestsinthefaceofdailycivilstrife.TointerviewDr.VandanaShivaaboutherfighttopreventworldhungerbypreservingbiodiversity,Dirt!TheMovietraveledthroughoutIndia,toaworldthetouristsrarelysee.Asthousandsoffarmerstrappedintheloaneconomyseesuicideastheironlysolution,VandanaShiva’scommitmenttopreservingtheseedsoftheregionoffersthemasustainablefutureprovidingsupportfororganicfarmers.

InordertodocumentPierreRabhi’slifelongdedicationtoreversetheworldwidetrendtowarddesertification,Dirt!TheMovietraveledinthedryAugustheattoFrancetocapturehisphilosophyinaction.InthesouthernregionofBrazil,renownedphotographerSebastiãoandhiswifeLéliaSalgadorefusedtostandidlybyastheyrealizedtheyweredocumentingaconnectionbetweenenvironmentaldegradationandhumandegradation.TheireffortstorevitalizethelandatInstitutoTerrabyplantingamilliontreesandengagingthecommunityintheirvisionprovesthatdirtcanbebroughtbacktolifeevenintheworstofcircumstances.Dirt!TheMoviefilmedinLosAngeleswithTreePeoplefounderAndyLipkiswhoshowedthemthatthecitywasnotadeadpieceofinertconcrete,butratheralivingandpotentiallythrivingcommunityforbothhumansanddirt.Tobringthesestoriestolifeinacinematicway,Dirt!TheMoviealsoproducedanimatedsequencestoilluminatethetopicinamultilayered,engagingfashion.“Thisfilmisnotaboutenvironmentaldisasters.It’saboutenvironmentalpotential,”Benensonsays.“Thereareavarietyofsolutionstotheproblemsweface.There’salotofhopeforthefuture,ifwecomebackintobalancewithdirt.”

ABOUTTHEFILMMAKERSGENEROSOW(director‐producer)GeneRosowisanaccomplishedfilmmaker.Duringhismorethan30yearsintheindustry,Rosowhaswritten,directedandproducedmorethan20documentaries,includingDoctoraforEngland’sChannel4,RoutesofRhythmwithHarryBelafonteforPBSandKnightsforCanal+France.Rosow’sfeaturefilmproducingcreditsincludeSilentTongue,ZeusandRoxanne,BritneyBabyOneMoreTimeamongothers.Apartfromfilmmaking,RosowhasaPh.DinhistoryfromtheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleywherehealsotaughtandspentayearofpost‐graduateworkattheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniainecology,biochemistry,cellularphysiologyandparisitology.BILLBENENSON(director‐producer)BillBenensonisanaward‐winningfilmmaker.Inover30yearsofproducinganddirecting,hehasmadeseveraldocumentaries,includingTheMarginalWayaboutthefishingandartistcommunityofOgunquit,Maine,andDiamondRivers,afirst‐personaccountofdiamondprospectinginnortheasternBrazil.BothwerePBSspecialsbroadcastonNewYork’sWNET.WithBenensonProductionsanditspredecessor,BBZFilms,Benensonwasadevelopmentexecutive,producerorexecutiveproduceronseveralfeaturefilms,includingUndertheVolcano,TheLightshipandAWalkOnTheMoon.Inaddition,BenensonwasexecutiveproduceronMisterJohnson.LAURIEBENENSON(executiveproducer)LaurieBenensonisawriter,editorandjournalist.ShefoundedMovielineMagazinein1985andwentontowriteaboutfilmandtelevisionfortheNewYorkTimesSundayArtsandLeisuresection.Anavidenvironmentalist,LaurieisontheactionforumoftheNRDCandisalsoinvolvedwithRainforestActionNetworkandConservationInternational,amongotherenvironmentalgroups.LauriehaswrittenascreenplayaboutpioneeringenvironmentalistRachelCarson,authorofSilentSpring,andiscurrentlyworkingonarewriteofherromanticcomedyGenie.Dirt!TheMovieisherdebutasaproducer.ELEONOREDAILLY(producer,co‐director)EleonoreDailly,in2007,receivedtheprestigiousDebraHillFellowshipforpromising,youngfemaleproducers.ThataccoladecameontheheelsofDailly’stwo‐yeartrainingattheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia’sPeterStarkProducingProgram.Daillywrote,directedandproducedherfirstfeature‐lengthdocumentaryLasInombrables,apoignantandintimateportraitofArgentinestreetwalkers’strugglefortheirrightsaswomen.Thefilmisinfinalstagesofpost‐production.JONATHANSHAW(editor)JonathanShawisaneditorwithastoriedpedigree,workinginfeatures,television,documentaries,IMAXand3‐D.Shawhascollaboratedwithsomeofthemostinnovativefilmmakersofourtime,includingDavidLynch(“BlueVelvet,”“TwinPeaks”)andStevenBochco(“BlindJustice,”“OverThere,”“RaisingtheBar”).ShawalsohasworkedonseveralIMAXand3‐Dprojects,suchas“SeaMonsters:APrehistoricAdventure,”“China:ThePandaAdventure”and“T‐Rex:BacktotheCretaceous.”

BRIANSINGBIEL(editor)BrianSingbieltaughthimselfthebasicsofeditingontwoVHSdecksinthebasementofhissuburbanhomenearDetroit.HereceivedaformalfilmeducationintheLosAngelesareaatChapmanUniversity,earningastudentnominationatthe2003A.C.E.EddieAwards.Aftergraduating,SingbieltraveledtoNewYorkCityandwasmentoredbyKurtEngfehronthefashiondocumentarySeamless.Singbielhonedhiscraftbyeditingshortfilms,speccommercialsandmusicvideos,whileassistingestablishededitorsonfeaturedocumentariessuchasAmericatheBeautifulandnarrativefilmsincludingNickCassavetes’AlphaDog.Singbiel’sfirstfeaturedocumentaryasleadeditorwastheSundancehitBigger,Stronger,Faster.Sinbiel’sothereditingworkincludesMadAsHell:TheProsecutionofGeorgeW.BushforMurder,legendaryprosecutorVincentBugliosi’scaseforholdingPresidentBush“criminallyresponsible”forthedeathsofAmericansoldiersinIraq,andFambulTok,anintimatelookatforgivenessandreconciliationafterthecivilwarinSierraLeone.TRACYJ.BROWN(associateproducer)TracyJ.Brownisascreenwriterandformerdevelopmentexecutivewhosewritingcreditsincludethedelightfulanimatedfeaturefilm“AFishTale”.Herbasictraininginecologicalawarenesscamefromyearswithherhandsinthedirtalongsidehergrandmother,horticulturalistandauthorEmilyBrown(GardeningWithPerennials).Tracy’sfirstforayintoenvironmentalresearchwasacollegepaperaboutthermalpollutionanditseffectonaquaticecosystemswithresearchassistancefromtheWoodsHoleOceanographicInstitute.ShehassincewrittenascreenplayaboutSilentSpringauthorRachelCarsonandhercourageouscalltobattlefortheenvironmentandallofitscreatures.MARISAMURGATROYD(associateproducer)Marisaisanaward‐winningfilmmaker,writer,andphotographerspecializinginsocialissuemedia.Dedicatedtoproducinginnovativemediafocusedonrealworldissues,shehasbroughthercreativeandorganizationalskillstoawidearrayofvideo,printandonlineprojects.Marisahasworkedinthedevelopment,production,outreachanddistributionofdocumentaryfilmsonissuesrangingfromsustainabledevelopmenttosubstanceabuse.Mostrecently,shewrote,producedanddirectedMethInsideOut,aneducationalvideoseriesonmethamphetamineaddictionandrecovery. CHRISTINEDEITNER(associateproducer)ChristineDeitnerreceivedherB.F.A.inTheatreDirectingandActingfromNewYorkUniversitywhereshealsoreceivedminorsinEnglishandFilmStudies.ShehasdirectedplaysinNewYorkandNorthampton,Massachusetts,stageandcompanymanagedprofessionaltheatricaltoursthroughoutNorthAmericaandEurope,tourmanagedsmallbandsintheUnitedStatesandproducedshortfilmsandtheatricalventuresinNewYorkandLosAngeles.UponmovingWest,sheleaptatthechancetoworkforProducerRichardRaynisandGracieFilmsasProductionCoordinatoronTheSimpsonsMovieandTheSimpsonsGameforEA.ShecontinuedworkingwithFilmRomanasProductionSupervisorforTheSimpsonsRideatUniversalStudios,andforRobZombie’sTheHauntedWorldofElSuperbeasto,tobereleasedin2009.TYLERHARBOUR(associateproducer)TylerHarbourreceivedhisB.A.inEnglishatBrevardCollegeandthenattendedMarshallUniversity’sEnglishGraduateProgrambeforemovingtoCaliforniain2006.SincerelocatingtoLosAngeles,Tylerhasworkedonnumerousshortandfeaturelengthprojects,asacastingassistantonOppositeDay,aswellasproducinghisownshortfilm,BlackRock,in2007.

STEVEELKINS(directorofphotography)SteveElkinsisaveterancinematographer,editorandproducer.Hehasalsogarneredseveralawards,includingaCaliforniaTourismAwardforbestvideo,aCineGoldenEagleforbestdocumentaryandbestvideographyandeditingandanEmmyforbestdocumentarycamerawork.TOMPAKULSKI(directorofphotographyMaineandIndia)TomPakulskiisacameramanwithover20yearsofexperience.HehasshotforDiscoveryChannel(SunriseEarth,DailyPlanetandSomeAssemblyRequired)andtheHistoryChannel(ModernMarvelsandDeepSeaDetectives). ANTONIOROSSI(directorofphotography)AntonioRossiwasthedirectorofphotographyonthedocumentaryNoEndInSight,acomprehensivestudyattheeventsanddecisionsthatleadtofiascoinIraq.ThefilmwontheSpecialJuryPrizeintheU.S.documentarycompetitionattheSundanceFilmFestivalin2007.ItwasalsonominatedforanAcademyAward.RossihasworkedwithsuchdistinguishedfilmmakersasMichaelApted,KenBurns,AlexGibneyBarbaraKoppelandBrettMorgenthroughouthiscareer,includingtimeasacameraassistantandgafferinNewYork’sindependentanddocumentaryfilmcommunities. MICHAELKOWALSKI(sounddesign)MichaelKowalskihasworkedasasounddesigneronavarietyofdocumentaries(LostinLaMancha,ACertainKindofDeath,TellThemWhoYouAre)andindependent,narrativefilms(RobbingPeter).Inadditiontohisfilmwork,KowalskiteachessounddesignandfilmproductionatChapmanUniversityNearLosAngeles. JORGECORANTE(composer)JorgeCorantecreatesuniquescoresthatseamlesslyblendurbanelementswithclassicalandelectronica.Hismusiccareerbeganwhenhewas17yearsoldandsignedaproductiondealwithMotownRecords.AyearlaterCorantesignedaco‐publishingdealwithEMIMusic.DuringhistimewithEMICorantewroteandproducedsongsforPaulaAbdul,Brownstone,AdinaHoward,Xscape,K‐Ci&JoJo,CeCePeniston,JanetJackson,OutkastandDeborahCox.AttheendofhisEMIpublishingterm,CornateembarkedonasuccessfulcareercomposingmusicandwritingsongsforsuchfilmsasScaryMovie3,JumpIn!,TheProudFamilyMovie,BigMomma’sHouse2andthetelevisionshowCSI:Miamiamongothers.

ABOUTTHEPARTICIPANTS

JamieLeeCurtis,Actress/AuthorJamieLeeCurtishasdemonstratedherversatilityasafilmactresswithstarringrolesinsuchacclaimedfilmsastheblockbusterTrueLiesoppositeArnoldSchwarzenegger,forwhichshewonaGoldenGlobeAward,aswellasanAmericancomedyAward,andTradingPlaceswithEddieMurphyandDanAykroydforwhichsheearnedaBAFTA(BritishFilmAcademyAward)forBestSupportingActress.JamiewillnextbeseenintheDisneycomedyYouAgainwhichissetforreleasein2010.ShestarredinDisney’sboxofficehitBeverlyHillsChihuahuainadditiontoChristmaswiththeKrankswithTimAllenandtheDisneyfeaturefilm“FreakyFriday”forwhichshewasnominatedforaGoldenGlobe.ShealsoappearedinthedramaTheTailorofPanamaalongwithPierceBrosnanandGeoffreyRush,aswellasHalloween:H20,whichwasthe20yearsequeltoHalloween;thenowclassicfilmwhichfirstbroughthertotheattentionofaudiencesworldwide.Othermemorableleadingfilmroleperformancesinclude,AFishCalledWanda(forwhichshereceivedduelnominationswithBAFTAandtheGoldenGlobes),FierceCreatures,Virus,DominickAndEugene,BlueSteel,MyGirl,MyGirlII,ForeverYoung,Mother’sBoys,HouseArrestandLoveLetters.Intelevision,Ms.Curtisco‐starredoppositeRichardLewisintheacclaimedsitcomAnythingButLovewhichearnedherbothaGoldenGlobeandPeople’sChoiceAward,aswellasTNT’sadaptationoftheWendyWassersteinplayTheHeidiChronicleswhichalsoearnedheraGoldenGlobenomination.In1998,JamiestarredintheCBStelevisionfilmNicholas’GiftforwhichshereceivedanEmmynomination.Ms.Curtisisalsoabest‐sellingauthorofchildren’sbooks.Hertitlesinclude,WhenIWasLittle:AFour­YearOld’sMemoirofHerYouth,TellMeAgainAbouttheNightIWasBorn,TodayIFeelSillyandOtherMoodsThatMakeMyDay,I’mGonnaLikeMe,WhereDoBalloonsGo?It’sHardToBeFiveandIsThereReallyaHumanRace?HerlatestbookBigWordsforLittlePeoplewasreleasedinSeptemberandisalreadyabestseller.Ms.CurtisisanAIDSactivistandhasadeepandactiveconnectiontomanychildren’scharitieswhichinclude,Children’sHospitalofPittsburghandChildren’sHospitalofLosAngeles,aswellasbeingtheofficialspokespersonforCAAF(TheChildren’sAffectedbyAIDSFoundation)andonwhoseexecutiveAdvisoryBoardsheisaservingmember.Inaddition,sheisalsoontheboardoftheStarlightStarbrightChildren’sFoundation.

BILLLOGANAuthor,Dirt:TheEcstaticSkinoftheEarth,andUrbanArboristBillLoganisanaward‐winningnaturalhistorywriterandenvironmentalcolumnist.HewrotetheCuttingscolumnfortheNewYorkTimesandhelpedlaunchGardenDesignmagazine.LoganhasbeenacontributortonumerousmagazinesincludingHG,HouseBeautiful,OrganicGardening,TheWholeEarthReview,Parabola,Orion,HorticultureandFineGardening.HisbookongardeningtoolswontheBestBookoftheYearawardfromtheGardenWritersAssociationofAmerica.In1992,LoganfoundedUrbanArboriststocarefortreesinNewYorkCity.Threeyearslater,Dirt:TheEcstaticSkinoftheEarth,waspublished.ItwasnamedBookoftheWeekbyEntertainmentWeeklyandreceivedaglowingfront‐pagereviewintheSundayLosAngelesTimesBookReviewsection.Logan’smostrecentbook,Oak:TheFrameofCivilization,waspublishedin2008byW.W.Norton.“TheDustBowlwasanevent,notquiteonthesamescale,butcomparabletowhathappenedafterthelastIceAge.Wemadeareallybigchangeinthelandscapejustbybadfarmingpractices.”–BillLogan,Dirt!TheMovie

ANDYLIPKISPresident,FounderofTreePeopleAndyLipkisbeganplantingtreestorehabilitatesmogandfire‐damagedforestswhenhewas15yearsold.HefoundedTreePeopleandhasservedasitspresidentsince1973.Foroverthreedecades,theLosAngeles‐basedorganizationhasservedasaguidinglightfortheCitizenForestryMovement.Lipkis’latestventure,theT.R.E.E.S.program(TransagencyResourcesforEnvironmentalandEconomicSustainability),isapublic‐privatepartnershipaimedatmanagingthegreaterLosAngelesareaasanurbanecosystem.LipkisinspiredtheplantingofonemilliontreesinLosAngelesprecedingthe1984SummerOlympics.

LipkisandhiswifeKatewerenamedtotheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgram'sGlobal500RollofHonor,andholdAmericanForests’LifetimeAchievementAward.In1998,AndywashonoredasFounderoftheYearatNationalPhilanthropyDay,andtwoyearslater,heandKateauthoredTheSimpleActofPlantingATree.In2005,Andywrotethecalltoactionforthe20thanniversaryreleaseoftheJeanGionobook“TheManWhoPlantedTrees.”“Dirt!TheMovieopensoureyestothescienceandhealingpowerofaworldrightbeneathourfeet.Itinspiresustoengageandenjoygettingourhandsdirty,whileprovidingrealhopeinperiloustimes.”–AndyLipkis

WANGARIMAATHAINobelLaureateandFounder,GreenBeltMovementWangariMaathaiisinternationallyrecognizedforherpersistentstruggleinthefightfordemocracy,humanrightsandenvironmentalconservation.BorninNyeri,Kenya,ProfessorMaathaiwasthefirstwomaninEastandCentralAfricatoearnadoctoratedegree.In1976,asthechairoftheDepartmentofVeterinaryAnatomyattheUniversityofNairobi,ProfessorMaathaistartedatree‐plantinginitiative.Herinitiativegrewintoabroad‐based,grassrootsorganizationcalledtheGreenBeltMovement,whosemainfocusisplantingtreeswithwomen’sgroupstobothconservetheenvironmentandimproveKenyans’qualityoflifedramatically.Sincethen,thePanAfricanGreenBeltNetworkhaslaunchedsimilartreeplantinginitiativesinotherAfricancountries,includingTanzania,Uganda,Malawi,Lesotho,EthiopiaandZimbabwe.AvisitingFellowatYaleUniversity’sGlobalInstituteofSustainableForestry,ProfessorMaathaiservesontheboardsofnumerousorganizations,includingtheUnitedNationsSecretaryGeneral'sAdvisoryBoardonDisarmament.HeraccomplishmentsincludeanappointmentasKenya’sAssistantMinisterforEnvironment,NaturalResourcesandWildlifeandapresidencyoftheAfricanUnion'sEconomic,SocialandCulturalCouncil.ThroughtheGreenBeltMovement,ProfessorMaathaihasassistedinplantingmorethan20milliontreesacrossAfrica,receivingnumerousawards,mostnotablytheNobelPeacePrizein2004.“Clothetheearth‐putontheskin,adress.Agreendress,liketrees,likevegetation.Andthen,whentheearthiscoveredwithgreen,withvegetation,itlooksvery

beautiful.Andinthisageofclimatechangecanyouimaginehowhappytheplanetwouldbe?”–WangariMaathai,Dirt!TheMovie

DR.VANDANASHIVAPhysicist,EnvironmentalActivistVandanaShivaisaworld‐renownedenvironmentalleaderandthinker.DirectoroftheResearchFoundationonScience,Technology,andEcology,sheistheauthorofmanybooks,includingWaterWars:Pollution,Profits,andPrivatization,Biopiracy:ThePlunderofNatureandKnowledge,andStayingAlive.Dr.Shiva–alongwithRalphNaderandJeremyRifkin–isaleaderintheInternationalForumonGlobalization.In1993,Dr.ShivawontheAlternativeNobelPeacePrize,“TheRightLivelihoodAward.”ThefounderofNavdanya(“nineseeds”),amovementpromotingdiversityanduseofnativeseeds,Dr.Shiva,in1997,alsosetuptheResearchFoundationforScience,Technology,andEcology.ItsstudieshavevalidatedtheecologicalvalueoftraditionalfarmingandbeeninstrumentalinfightingdestructivedevelopmentprojectsinIndia.Beforebecominganecoactivist,Dr.ShivawasoneofIndia’sleadingphysicists.Sheholdsamaster’sdegreeinthephilosophyofscienceandaPh.D.inparticlephysics.“Forus,mudisnotjustthematrixoflifeinwhichwegrowourplants,it’sourbuildingstructure–it’sourverysenseofwhoweare.”–Dr.VandanaShiva,Dirt!TheMovie

SEBASTIAOSALGADODocumentaryPhotojournalistandCo‐Founder,InstitutoTerraSebastiãoSalgadoworkedasaneconomistfortheInternationalCoffeeOrganization,oftentravelingtoAfricaonmissionsfortheWorldBank.In1973,Salgadoswitchedtophotography,workingonnewsassignmentsbeforeveeringtodocumentarywork.Today,SebastiãoSalgadoisoneofthemostrespectedphotojournalistsintheworld,hisreputationforgedbydecadesofdedicationandpowerfulblackandwhiteimages

ofdispossessedanddistressedpeopletakeninplaceswheremostwouldn’tdaretogo.Hisimagesartfullyteachusthedisastrouseffectsofwar,poverty,disease,andhostileclimaticconditions.In1999,appalledbytherelationbetweenhumandegradationandenvironmentaldegradation,LéliaDeluizWanickSalgadoandSebastiãoSalgadofoundedInstitutoTerra,anonprofitorganizationbasedintheirhometownofAimores,Brazil.DesignedtopreserveandpromotethebiodiversityoftheBrazilianAtlanticForest,InstitutoTerrahasbecomeacenterofexcellenceintheareasofrestoration,environmentaleducation,sustainabledevelopmentandsocialmobilization.LELIADELUIZWANICKSALGADOCo‐Founder,InstitutoTerraLéliawasborninVitória,Brazil,andmovedtoParisin1969.LéliarunsAmazonasImages,thephotographyagencyshecreatedwithSebastiãoandhasdesignedandcuratednumerousexhibitionsofSebastião’sphotographsinmajormuseumsandgalleriesthroughouttheworld.ShehasdegreesinarchitecturefromEcoleNationaleSupérieuredesBeaux‐Arts,Paris,andinUrbanPlanningfromtheUniversityofParis.SheisthePresidentandCo‐FounderofInstitutoTerra.“Inallthislandaroundthisplanet,ifwestartedtoreplant–intenyearstherewouldbenomoredeadland.”–SebastiãoSalgado,Dirt!TheMovie

PAULSTAMETSMycologistPaulStametshasbeenadedicatedmycologistforover30years.Duringthistime,hehasdiscoveredandcoauthoredfournewspeciesofmushroomsandpioneeredcountlesstechniquesinthefieldofedibleandmedicinalmushroomcultivation.Stametshaswrittensixbooksonmushroomcultivation,useandidentification;hisbooksGrowingGourmetandMedicinalMushroomsandTheMushroomCultivatorhavebeenhailedasthedefinitivetextsofmushroomcultivation.HisnewestbookisMyceliumRunning:HowMushroomsCanHelpSaveTheWorld.In2008,PaulreceivedtheNationalGeographicAdventureMagazine’sGreen‐NovatorandtheArgosyFoundation'sE‐chievementAwards.“Theseoldgrowthforestscomefromthesoilthat’ssothinbeneathmyfeet.Thesoiloriginatedafterthelasticeageover10,000yearsago,whentheglaciersrecededandscrapedawaymostofthesoildowntobarrenrock…Mmmm…Thatsmellsgood,itreallydoes–PaulStamets,Dirt!TheMovie

MIGUELALTIERIProfessorofAgroecology,UniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleyMiguelAltierihasbeenteachingAgroecology‐therelationbetweenagriculturalcropsandtheenvironment‐attheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleysince1981intheDepartmentofEnvironmentalScience,PolicyandManagement.ProfessorAltieri,whowasborninChile,isparticularlyinterestedinhowtheinteractionsbetweenplants,animals,humansandtheenvironmentaffectagriculturalsystemsinCentralandSouthAmerica.HehasservedasascientificadvisortomanyprominentNGOs,includingtheLatinAmericanConsortiumonAgroecologyandDevelopment(CLADES),theConsultativeGrouponInternationalAgricultureResearchandtheFAO‐GIAHSprogram(GloballyIngeniousAgriculturalHeritageSystems)aprogramdevotedtoidentifyinganddynamicallyconservingtraditionalfarmingsystemsinthedevelopingworld.HealsoservedasGeneralCoordinatorfortheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram’sSustainableAgricultureNetworkingandExtension.ProfessorAltieriisalsothegeneralcoordinatoroftheLatinAmericanScientificSocietyofAgroecology(www.agroeco.org/socla).ProfessorAltieriistheauthorofmorethan200publications,andnumerousbooksincludingAgroecology:TheScienceofSustainableAgricultureandBiodiversity,PestManagementinAgroecosystemsandAgroecologyandtheSearchforaTrulySustainableAgriculture.“Ifwedon’ttakecareofthesoilwhichisjustthefirstfivecentimeterlayeroflifethatisontheearth,ourfutureistotallycondemned.”–MiguelAltieri,Dirt!TheMovie

PIERRERABHIPhilosopher,AgroecologistFarmerturnedphilosopher,PierreRabhihasworkedrelentlesslytobuildawarenessoftheinterrelationshipbetweenpeopleandtheenvironment.Aprolificwriter,Rabhiexploresthisintricaterelationshipinallofhisacclaimedbooks,

includingAsintheHeart,SointheEarth;ReversingtheDesertificationoftheSoulandtheSoil;WordsoftheEarth:AnAfricanInitiationandTheHummingBird.“Here’sthis120‐yearwindowinwhichwefindourselvesandit’sprobablythemostimportantwindowinthehistoryofhomosapien.”–WesJackson,Dirt!TheMoviePuttinghiswordsinaction,Rabhihaspromotedthedevelopmentofagro‐ecologyaroundtheworld,particularly‐thoughnotexclusively‐inaridcountries.In1981,RabhiwasinvitedbythegovernmentofBurkinaFasotosharehisdiscoverieswithstrugglingAfricanfarmers.HealsostartednumerousdevelopmentprogramsinMorocco,Palestine,Algeria,Tunisia,Senegal,Togo,Benin,Mauritania,Nigeria,Mali,PolandandtheUkraine.In1997and1998,attherequestoftheUnitedNations,Rabhipresentedproposalsfortheimplementationofhisplanforworldsustainability.Hefoundedthe“InternationalMovementforEarthandHumanism.”RabhiisalsovicepresidentoftheKokopelliAssociation,whichprotectsbiodiversitywiththeproductionanddistributionoforganicallyandbiodynamicallygrownseeds,andpromotestheregenerationofcultivatedsoils.“Africaisnotpoor.Ethiopiaalone,ifproperlycultivated,couldfeedtheentireAfricancontinent.”–PierreRabhi,Dirt!TheMovie

WESJACKSONPresident,TheLandInstitutePresidentofTheLandInstitute,JacksonearnedaBAinBiologyfromKansasWesleyan,anMAinBotanyfromUniversityofKansas,andaPhDinGeneticsfromNorthCarolinaStateUniversity.Heestablishedandservedaschairofoneofthecountry'sfirstenvironmentalstudiesprogramsatCaliforniaStateUniversity‐SacramentoandthenreturnedtohisnativeKansastofoundTheLandInstitutein1976.HeistheauthorofseveralbooksincludingNewRootsforAgricultureandBecomingNativetoThisPlaceandiswidelyrecognizedasaleaderintheinternationalmovementforamoresustainableagriculture.Hewasa1990PewConservationScholar,in1992becameaMacArthurFellow,andin2000receivedtheRightLivelihoodAward(calledthe“alternativeNobelprize”).In2005hewashonoredbySmithsonianMagazineasoneofthe35innovatorswhomadeadifference–alistthatalsoincludedBillGates,FrankGehry,MayaAngelou,Yo‐YoMaandAnnieLiebowitz.

DAVIDORRProfessor,EnvironmentalStudies,OberlinCollegeDavidW.OrristhePaulSearsDistinguishedProfessorofEnvironmentalStudiesandPoliticsandChairoftheEnvironmentalStudiesProgramatOberlinCollege.HeisalsoaJamesMarshProfessoratLargeattheUniversityofVermont.Heistheauthorofseveralinfluentialbooks:DesignontheEdge:TheMakingofaHighPerformanceBuilding,TheLastRefuge:Patriotism,Politics,andtheEnvironmentandTheNatureofDesign”(Oxford,2002.)Hehaspublished150articlesinscientificjournals,socialsciencepublications,andpopularmagazines.HehaslecturedathundredsofcollegesanduniversitiesintheU.S.andelsewhere.OrristherecipientofaBioneersAward(2003),aNationalConservationAchievementAwardbytheNationalWildlifeFederation,aLyndhurstPrizeawardedbytheLyndhurstFoundation“torecognizetheeducational,cultural,andcharitableactivitiesofparticularindividualsofexceptionaltalent,character,andmoralvision.”Hewasnamed“anEnvironmentalHerofor2004”byInteriors&SourcesMagazine,holdsthreeHonoraryDoctoratesandhasbeenadistinguishedscholarinresidenceatUniversityofWashington,BallStateUniversityandWestminsterCollegeinSaltLakeCity.Inaspecialcitation,theConnecticutGeneralAssemblynotedOrr's“vision,dedication,andpersonalpassion”inpromotingtheprinciplesofsustainability.TheClevelandPlainDealerdescribedhimas“oneofthosewhowillshapeourlives.”“Thisisafabricoflifebeingtornapartthatcanneverbeputbacktogetheragain.”–DavidOrr,Dirt!TheMovie

MAJORACARTERFounder,SustainableSouthBronxBorn,raisedandresidingintheSouthBronx,NY,Carterbelievesresidentsshouldn’thavetomoveoutoftheirneighborhoodtoliveinabetterone.Sheiscommittedtocreatingintensiveurbanforestationwithgreenroofingandwaterpermeableopenspaces.Thisrobusthorticulturalinfrastructurecleanstheair,reducestheurban‐heatislandeffect,efficientlymanagesstormwaterrunoffandcreatesjobs.In2001,Carterfoundedthenonprofit,environmental‐justicesolutionscorporation,SustainableSouthBronx(SSBx).Carter’sfirstmajorprojectwaswritinga$1.25millionfederaltransportationplanninggrantfortheSouthBronxGreenway,whichledtothearea’sfirstnewwaterfrontparkinover60years.Twoyearslater,SSBxopenedtheBronxEnvironmentalStewardshipTrainingprogram(BEST)‐oneofthenation’sfirsturbangreen‐collarjobtrainingandplacementsystems.After5years,itboastsan85%employmentrate.Carter’slocalenvironmentalsolutionsrestonpovertyalleviationthroughgreeneconomicdevelopment;thelocaljobstheycreatecanempowercommunitiestoresistbadenvironmentaldecisions.Carterisa2006MacArthurGeniusFellow,oneofEssenceMagazine’s25mostinfluentialAfricanAmericans,onetheNewYorkPost's50MostInfluentialWomenforthepasttwoyears,co‐hostofTheGreenonSundanceChannel,andaboardmemberoftheWildernessSociety.Sheisalsopresidentofthegreen‐collareconomicconsultingcompany,TheMajoraCarterGroup,LLC.“Youdon’thavetomoveoutofyourneighborhoodtoliveinabetteronebutyousuredohavetofightifyouwanttoreconnectyourlifeintoamorenaturalstatethatactuallyincludespoorpeople.”–MajoraCarter,Dirt!TheMovie

JAMESJILERProgramDirector,TheGreenhouseatRikersIslandPrisonSystemsAuthorJamesJilerhasdirectedtheHorticulturalSocietyofNewYork'sjail‐to‐streetGreenHouseprogramonRikersIslandsincetheprogram'sinceptionin1997.Jiler,withabackgroundinforestryandsocialecology,holdsanMSdegree.JamesJilerisDirectoroftheGreenhouseProject,arenownedhorticulturaljob‐trainingprogramforinmatesatNewYorkCity’sRikersIslandjailsystem.Heprovidesinstructioninhorticultureandgreenhousemanagementintegratedwitha

math,scienceandEnglishliteracycurriculum.Jileralsooverseesjobplacementandafter‐careservicesforreleasedinmateswhiledirectingtheGreenTeam.“Whenwetalkaboutdirt,we’renotjusttalkingaboutdirt,we’retalkingaboutthespiritualaswellasthephysicalattributesofone’slife,soit’snolongerdirt,it’sametaphorforahealthylife.”–JamesJiler,Dirt!TheMovie

FRITJOFCAPRADirectorofCenterforEcoliteracy,TheoreticalPhysicistFritjofCaprahaspublishedmanytechnicalpapersandlecturedextensivelyonthephilosophicalimplicationsofmodernscience.HismostnotableworksincludeTheTaoofPhysics(1975),TheTurningPoint(1982)andTheWebofLife(1997).CapraisalsoavisitinglectureratSchumacherCollegeinEnglandanddirectoroftheCenterforEcoliteracyinBerkeley,California,whichisdedicatedtonurturingnewecologicalvisionsandapplyingthemtocurrentsocial,economicandenvironmentalproblems.“Thelivingorganismsonearthhaveusedtheverysamemoleculesofair,waterandsoiloverandoveragain.Notjustthesametypesofmoleculesbuttheverysamemolecules.”–FritjofCapra,Dirt!TheMovie

PETERGIRGUISAssistantProfessorofOrganismicandEvolutionaryBiology,HarvardPeterGirguisisanassistantprofessorofmicrobiologyatHarvardUniversity,andhisresearchfocusesonmicrobesthatliveinextremeenvironments.Heisinvolvedindevelopingmicrobialfuelcellsaspowersystemsinboththedevelopedanddevelopingworld.Heisalsoknownfordesigningstate‐of‐the‐artbioreactorstogrowtheso‐called“unculturable”microbes,includinganaerobicmethaneoxidizingarchaeaandsulfur‐reducingbacteria.HereceivedhisB.S.cfromUCLA,hisPh.D.fromUCSantaBarbara,anddidpostdoctoralworkattheMontereyBayAquariumResearchInstitute.

“Whatweoftencalldirt,youknow,thestuffyouaretryingtowashoffourcarorwashoffourdriveways,arereallythesesoilsandsedimentsthatarevitaltokeepingourbiospherehealthy,whichisallaboutkeepingtheplantsandanimalsandourselvesalive.Soilsandsedimentsarereallymorelikealivingskinontheearth,andtheyarethestewardsofourplanet.”–PeterGirguis,Dirt!TheMovie

ALICEWATERSFounder,TheEdibleSchoolyardIn1971,aftergraduatingfromtheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleyandtrainingattheMontessoriSchoolinLondon,WatersopenedChezPanissewithafixed‐pricemenuthatchangeddaily.ThemenuformatistheheartofWaters’philosophyofservingonlythehighestqualityproducts,onlywhentheyareinseason.Overitsmorethanthreedecadesofexistence,ChezPanissehasdevelopedanetworkofmostlylocalfarmersandrancherswhosededicationtosustainableagricultureassuresChezPanisseasteadysupplyofpureandfreshingredients.In1997,WatershelpedlaunchtheEdibleSchoolyardonthecampusofthelocalMartinLurtherKingJr.,MiddleSchool.Ontheone‐acreplot,studentsnotonlyraisefruitsandvegetablesbutalsolearnaboutfoodproductionandpreparationingardeningandcookingclasses.Watershasauthoredandco‐authoredeightfood‐relatedbooks.In2001,ChezPanissewasnamedBestRestaurantinAmericabyGourmetmagazine.Watershasreceivednumerousawards,includingtheBonAppetitmagazine’sLifetimeAchievementAwardin2000andtheJamesBeardHumanitarianAwardin1997.ShewasnamedBestChefinAmericabytheJamesBeardFoundationin1992andCuisineetVinsdeFrancelistedherasoneoftheworld’s10bestchefsin1986.AliceWatersisastrongadvocateforfarmer’smarketsandforsoundandsustainableagriculture.“Theexperienceinnatureissocomfortingtothesekidswhohaveneverhadtheirhandsinthegroundbefore.Theyjustneedtobehere.Theywanttobeinthegarden.”–AliceWaters,Dirt!TheMovie

GARYVAYNERCHUCKHost,WineLibrary.TVGaryVaynerchukisa32‐year‐oldself‐trainedwineexpert.Hiswebcast,“TheThunderShow”,onwww.winelibrarytv.com,attractsover80,000viewerseachday.Gary’scult‐likefollowingistheresultofhisunconventional,oftenirreverentcommentaryonwine.Inthenameof“expandingone’spalate”,GaryconvincedConanO’BrientolicksaltedrocksandsharedsamplesofdirtandgrasswithEllenDegeneres.Heroutinelypanspopularwines.Atage27,VaynerchukwastheyoungestwinnerofMarketwatch’sBusinessAward,MarketWatchLeader,andhasrecentlylaunchedfirstbook,101WinesGuaranteedtoInspire,Delight,andBringThundertoYourWorld.“Withtheamountofspeciesthatliveinateaspoonofdirt,Ithinkit'sveryobviousdirtmightbemorealivethanweare.”‐GaryVaynerchuk,Dirt!TheMovie

JANINEBENYUSFounder,TheBiomimicryInstituteJanineBenyusisanaturalscienceswriter,innovationconsultantandauthor.Inherlatestbook,Biomimicry:InnovationInspiredByNature,Benyuscoinedthetermbiomimicrytoidentifyanemergingdisciplineofbio‐inspiredinnovation,forexample,solarcellsthatmimicleaves.DavidPerlmanoftheSanFranciscoChroniclecalledthebookBiomimicry“oneviableanswertothewake‐upcallthatRachelCarsonsoundedagenerationagoinSilentSpring.''Sincethebook’s1997release,Benyushasevolvedthepracticeofbiomimicrybyconsultingwithsustainablebusiness,academicandgovernmentleaders,foundingthenonprofitBiomimicryInstituteandservingontheEco‐DreamTeamatInterface,Inc.Inadditiontoherbiomimicrywork,Benyusteachesinterpretivewriting,lecturesattheUniversityofMontana,andrestoresandprotectswildlands.SheservesonanumberofMontana‐based,land‐usecommitteesandispresidentofLivingEducation,anonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoplace‐basedlivingandlearning.BenyushasreceivedseveralawardsincludingtheRachelCarsonEnvironmentalEthicsAward,theLudBrowmanAwardforScienceWriting,theScienceWritingin

SocietyJournalismAwardandtheBarrowsandHeinzDistinguishedLectureships. “Ourwealthisimaginary.Itcomesfromsoil”–JanineBenyus,Dirt!TheMovie

JohnToddisaBuckminsterFuller2008Challenge‐winningbiologistworkinginthefieldofecologicaldesign.Hisprincipalinterestsincludesolvingtheproblemsoffoodproductionandwaste‐waterprocessing.Duringthe1970s,ToddandhiscolleaguesatSpryPointonPrinceEdwardIslandappliedbiologicalsciencetotechnologyanddevelopedwhattheycalled“livingmachines,”aself‐contained,innovativetreatmentsystemdesignedtotreataspecificwastestreamusingtheprinciplesofecologicalengineering.Itachievedthisgoalwithdiversecommunitiesofbacteriaandothermicroorganisms,algae,plants,trees,snails,fishandotherlivingcreaturesworkingsymbiotically.In1990,TodddevelopedagreenhousewastetreatmentplantinCapeCodthatyieldscleanwaterfromsewage.Toddhasreceivednumerousawards,includingin1996,theEnvironmentalMeritAwardfromtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyin1996and,theBioneersLifetimeAchievementAwardin1998.“Dirtisverymuchalive.Itprobablyhasinitandarounditallofthekingdomsoflife.”–JohnTodd,Dirt!TheMovie