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Between the Dreams Productions
"Return to Reason"
The full-length digital video documentary, "Return to Reason" witnesses the global renaissance of Cannabis (a.k.a. hemp, 'marijuana'), providing a broadly compelling, international perspective. Using an abundance of well-researched information, the purpose of the film is to document the true value of the most useful plant on Earth, while delineating the "extinctionistic" effect of prolonged, essential resource scarcity. The film is intended to serve as a tool for transcending prohibition statutes, violating one of people's most basic rights, the freedom to farm.
Unique and essential seed nutrition removes Cannabis from the rightful jurisdiction of man's courts. Industrial versatility makes Cannabis mankind's best hope for developing a sustainable agricultural economic base, in harmony with the Natural Order. Agricultural utility makes Cannabis an essential tool for healing self-destructive imbalances.
A perverse 'black market' has obviated a truly "free market" while spawning the degenerative "economics of punishment". Prohibition of Cannabis is ending all over the world, as people demand that their governments begin to recognize the collossal damage resulting from making Cannabis a "forbidden fruit".
To date, more than sixty hours of rough footage include:
- The traditional fiber hemp harvest and community celebration "Festival du Chanvre" in Montjean sur Loire, August 2002.
- Industrial harvest and processing of seed hemp and seed oil in Noirmoutier, France, August 2002.
- The lush agricultural demonstration project, herb farm and educational center at Chanvre Info, in Switzerland, includes scenes from their product exposition, international research presentations, and harvest in September 2002.
- The 2002 High Times Cannabis Cup 'marijuana' celebration in Amsterdam, honors the medicinal, entheogenic, euphoric and relaxational uses of the plant.
In 2003 film was shot at the
- DRCNet's "Out From the Shadows" drug policy reform conference in Merdia, Mexico happened to coincide with the February 15th global protest against the invasion of Iraq. Both events were recorded.
- ENCOD's drug policy reform meeting brought together scholars and activists from many countries at The European Parliament, in Brussels, Belgium. Testimony from drug policy reform experts included several moving and insightful presentations.
In 2004
- interviews were taped in California with renouned medical 'marijuana' expert, Dr. Tod Mikuriya in Berkeley, and at Valerie & Michael Corral's harvesting herbal therapeutics at the WAMM garden in Santa Cruz.
Gratitude for abundant help and cooperation by Dorota Katelbach cannot be overstated. Without Dorota's help and vision, this film would never have even gotten started. The gracious and hard working "chanvrieres" of Montjean sur Loire's "Festival du Chanvre", the openness and trust of Noel Andre, Andre Furst and Henk Poncin has renewed my faith in human goodness.
Film Updates, present to past
January 2005 - After 10 months in the U.S, and an unsuccessful attempt to raise practical support for production, Between the Dreams is back in France. Rough editing is slated to begin in February, using the recently aquired Final Cut Pro 3.
January 2004:
Between the Dreams Productions has returned to the U.S.A. to continue work on "Return to Reason" after almost four years of networking and filming in Europe. There are several reasons for re-patriating at this particular time.
To properly tell the story, on-camera interviews with Cannabis activists and economic scholars in the U.S. are a vital dimension needed to make a definitive case for an end to prohibition.
Funding for the film must be raised where the need for this information is greatest. Many countries in Europe are already growing low-THC hemp for food, fuel, cellulose and fiber. The U.S. isn't. In fact the DEA continues to lobby against people's right to eat the best available source of organic protein in the world!
I believe that in the realm of the extremes is where this issue will be revealed for what it is. The freedom to farm is so broadly compelling, that even the most adamant prohibitionists must question the motivations of a government intent on inducing scarcity of such a uniquely healing source of organic nutrition.
Since this is an election year, the possibility for accountability in government is greatest right now. Throwing liars out of office is the priority, and the negative value attributed to the Cannabis plant is one of the biggest, longest-lasting lies there has ever been. Challenging this lie during an election year will force accountability for the truth at a time when it can make a real difference.
Those who would like to consider funding "Return to Reason" can contact Paul von Hartmann to recieve a DVD of the 10-minute production trailerwith an additional hour of rough-cuts, intended to give an idea of the direction and depth of the film.
In February 2003 Between the Dreams Productions filmed speakers and the February 15th protest against the war in Iraq, which coincided with a drug policy reform conference in Merida, Mexico, hosted by the Drug Reform Coordination Network. Ten hours of DV tape were made and rouch-edited in time for ENCOD's drug policy reform conference, in Brussels at the European Parliament. Five more hours of DV tape were made at the EP and at public protest associated with it.
In addition, the Dutch Highlife Cup Canabis industry tradeshow and the High Times Cannabis Cup celebratation are also featured.
October 2004
Between the Dreams Productions filmed the medical 'marijuana' harvest at various herbal therapeutic gardens in California. Interviews with patients and caregivers reveal the violent, oppressive and illegal tactics being used to injure, sometimes kill, and intimidate people who are ill, undermining the will of the voters who overwhelmingly approved Proposition 215 in 1996.
Why help with "Return to Reason" ?
1. Digital video (DV) is the most cost-effective way to communicate the voices of reason, which deserve to be amplified, broadcast and repeated.
If you would like to consider buying photographs to help finance "Return to Reason", please contact Paul von Hartmann to see samples of his nature portfolios and stills images taken from the film.
Between the Dreams Productions is currently submitting grants to facilitate additional filming, post-production and distribution. Practical support in any form is welcome.
Inquiries regarding "Return to Reason" can be directed to
Paul von Hartmann at projectpeace@yahoo.com
For more information please see the links below.
All Our Relations
Between the Dreams Productions began in Paris, April 2000, a spirited collaboration of Polish-born architect, Dorota Katelbach and Californian photojournalist, Project P.E.A.C.E. activist, Paul von Hartmann. Using digital video and global technology, Between the Dreams Productions advances conscious evolution toward realistic respect for Nature, through artful communication.
Project P.E.A.C.E.
Chanvriere du Belon
Chanvre Info
Merida Conference Info
European NGO Council on Drugs and Development
Festival Du Chanvre, Montjean sur Loire
Send E-Mail to: projectpeace@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2005 Paul J. von Hartmann. All Rights Reserved