FESTIVAL PREMIERE
Falldown
Director: Bill Heath
A call to action, emerging from the front lines of ecological and cultural survival. “Super Natural” British Columbia is home to some of the most biodiverse, carbon-rich forests on Earth. People travel here to be among living giants, cathedrals—forests older than the ancient cathedrals of Europe. For millennia, Indigenous Peoples have stewarded these sacred ecosystems, knowing intuitively that people are not separate from the natural world but woven into its very heartbeat. Yet, industrial clearcut logging has torn its way through these ancient forests for the last century, threatening ecology and cultural identity.
Today a fight is on to decide the fate of the very last of these ancient forests, and the communities that forests support. Through evocative visuals and soulful storytelling, the film follows a coalition of Indigenous leaders, scientists and loggers as they seek a new path—one rooted in reverence for traditional knowledge and informed by the insights of Western science. Their collective vision is one of hope—a future where ecological restoration and cultural renewal are inextricably linked, where healing the land becomes a pathway to healing ourselves.
Falldown reminds us of what the First Peoples have always known: that our futures are intertwined with the health of the land, and that true resilience lies in our unity with nature. Visually stunning and deeply resonant, this cinematic testament implores us to reimagine our relationship with the natural world—before these ancient forests are silenced forever—calling us to remember, to restore, and to listen to the heartbeat of the land.
CAST & CREDITS
Director
Bill Heath
Producer
Suzanne Simard
Key Cast
Suzanne Simard
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
Falldown was originally titled “Super Natural Apocalypse”. That original title seemed suitable for the current situation in BC’s forests, and the government’s greenwashing efforts to bring tourists. However, it was pointed out to me that we should not toy with the notion of “Supernatural”, because indigenous beliefs point to everything, everywhere being supernatural.
For this short film, I wanted to use a very classical, documentary style, without any gimmicks or trendy visuals. Above all, I wanted the film to honor the brave people who participated in the interviews, and to show a reverence for the land, which is held by most residents of this beautiful place.
DIRECTORS BIO
Since picking up a spring-wound Bolex movie camera, award winning filmmaker Bill Heath has been rolling for over 40 years. At the age of 22, Heath landed his first paid job as director/cinematographer with US based Warren Miller Productions. This was a time before “extreme” was a thing. Bill traveled the globe for over 10 years filming adventure sports, like skiing, surfing and climbing. Soon after, commercial production houses took note of Heath’s ability to tell a story with a camera, which launched him into new adventures in commercial production. Clients like BC Tourism, Mercedes Benz, Wrigley’s, Heart & Stroke Foundation were hiring Bill to shoot and direct adverts. High end commercial production experience allowed Heath to join the Director’s Guild as well as the International Cinematographers Guild.
These alliances let Bill into a desirable sect of Studio feature film production. As second unit director, Bill contributed to films for major studios, like MGM, Disney and Lionsgate. This was mostly hazardous, stunt-driven action, so Bill moved back to documentary production, where he started working with Dr. Suzanne Simard and her Mother Tree Project. For the last ten years, Bill has been collaborating with Simard and her team creating films that document the good work of knowing and protecting our forests and nature. Bill lives in Nelson, BC with his 40 year partner, a squirrel and three blue jays.
