(Image provided)

SARANAC LAKE — The Lake Flower Landing will host a screening of “Human Flow,” an expansive exploration of the global refugee crisis at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29

The event is located at 421 Lake Flower Ave.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Captured over the course of a year in 23 countries, the film follows a chain of urgent stories that stretches through Afghanistan, Greece, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Turkey and beyond. A live question and answer webcast with filmmaker Ai Weiwei immediately follows.

Dissident-artist Ai Wei Wei’s statement for his film for the screening on La Biennale di Venezia was as follows, “Human Flow is a personal journey, an attempt to understand the conditions of humanity in our days. The film is made with deep belief in the value of human rights. In this time of uncertainty, we need more tolerance, compassion and trust for each other since we all are one. Otherwise, humanity will face an even bigger crisis.”

Wei Wei notes that this film is extremely personal to him, as his past experiences of inhumane treatment after being forced out of his home in Beijing during China’s Cultural Revolution. He goes on to say, his experiences helps him understand why he identifies with the refugees in the film, with the external forces they are often powerless to.

Wei Wei also explains the significance to his title, Human Flow, and how it relates to flooding. One can either build a dam to stop the flood, which doesn’t solve the issue entirely and could intensify the outcomes. Or one could find a path to let the flow continue. He relates dams to physical borders and walls and the later, is solving the issue and stem the source of the issue. The film is a direct call to action showing the gravity and scale of the refugee crisis.

Light refreshment served.

This event is co-presented with the Upper Jay Arts Center aka The Recovery Lounge.