Fires and Fascism, directed by filmmaker and former air quality scientist Dr Pete Knapp, will be screened at Patch Bournemouth on Tuesday, April 28 at 7pm.

The 57-minute documentary claims to examine the role of climate change, land mismanagement, organised crime, and far-right politics in the region’s escalating wildfire crisis.

Still from the Fires and Fascism documentary (Image: Dr Pete Knapp)

Peter Allen, a trustee with Transition Town Bournemouth, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be hosting the first screening of Fires and Fascism in Dorset.

“The film connects the climate crisis with some of the most urgent political challenges of our time.”

The screening, hosted by Transition Town Bournemouth, will include a Q&A with the director.

Dr Knapp crowdfunded the project, left his academic career, and travelled across Europe by train to document communities affected by the major wildfires of 2023.

He said: “I made this film because I wanted to understand why the fires in Europe keep getting worse, and what communities are doing about it.

“What I found was that the story isn’t just about climate change — it’s also about politics, power and who controls the land.

“I gave up my job and home to make this film and take it on tour because these are conversations communities need to have together.

“The aim is to bring people into the same room and start discussing how we respond to both climate breakdown and the growing divisions in our societies.”

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