Transforming the worldâs outlook on climate change is a daunting task, but activist Ken Ward lives to do exactly that. For Ward, no action is too smallâfrom anchoring tiny lobster boats in the path of corporate, coal-hauling ships, to handing out pamphlets while blocking Exxon gas pumps. Enthralled by his non-violent activism, local filmmaker Lindsey Grayzel decided to share his story in a documentary, The Reluctant Radical.
Calling Ward âone of a few brave souls who are willing to step radically outside of their comfort zone to do what they feel is necessary,â Grayzel tells me her first conversation with Ward made her feel differently about climate change. âWe should all be concerned, because we live on this planet, and this is no longer some far-off, distant threat,â Grayzel says. âThe actions that are being taken are woefully inadequate to address the scale of the problem. Itâs going to take all of us to be outraged and engaged to turn it around.â
The Reluctant Radical chronicles Wardâs efforts over the past few years, centering on #ShutItDownâan October 2016 action in which Ward and other activists stopped tar sand pipelines from pumping oil into the US using, as Grayzel puts it, âbolt cutters and bravery.â In the hours the pipelines remained shut, 15 percent of daily US crude oil imports were blocked. Later, the activistsâand The Reluctant Radicalâs filmmakersâwere arrested and charged with felonies, a reaction that was seen as an attack on the freedom of the press. Wardâs #ShutItDown action eventually incited a mistrial which, Grayzel explains, âis remarkable because he never said he didnât do it. He looked them in the eye and said, âYeah, I did this because itâs important,â and the jury was unable to come to an agreement to convict him.â
As The Reluctant Radical wraps up post-productionâand prepares to shoot an unexpected second trilâWard, Grayzel, and co-producer Deia Schlosberg will visit the Portland EcoFilm Festival, screening footage from the film and participating in a Q&A about climate change, journalism under threat, and more. All ticket sales will go to completing the film.