‘La Fabrique des Pandémies’ is the new documentary by Marie-Monique Robin, based on the book of the same name. Intrigued by the causes of the coronavirus pandemic, this French journalist has devoted herself to studying the link between the collapse of biodiversity and the emergence of pandemics. Join us for the film preview in Brussels on 11 May.

Preserving biodiversity means protecting our health

For the past twenty years, infectious diseases have been constantly on the increase. Like Covid-19, more than two out of three emerging diseases are zoonoses: diseases transmitted from animals to humans. For many scientists, the role that human activity plays in the emergence of these diseases is increasingly clear.

By destroying nature for monocultures or industrial livestock farming, we are disturbing the wild species that live there. That brings them into contact with other species, including human beings. And that enables them to transmit the viruses they carry. To tackle this threat, the One Health approach is gaining increasing acceptance as a solution to rebalance the relationships between humans, animals and ecosystems.

‘La Fabrique des Pandémies’

Marie-Monique Robin travelled to Asia, Africa and America to make her documentary. Accompanied by the French actress Juliette Binoche, she interviewed about twenty scientists from all over the world. Their findings are beyond dispute: without a rapid response from us, the world will soon be faced by an ‘epidemic of pandemics’ with disastrous consequences for humanity. This message is worrying, but more necessary than ever in a time when economic considerations often outweigh the needs of ecosystems and public health.

Preview in Brussels

Come and be among the first to watch the film at a preview in Brussels on Wednesday 11 May at the Cinema Galeries. Marie-Monique Robin will be attending the screening, along with Dr Issa Ilou, our Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The European politicians Michèle Rivasi and Saskia Bricmont (fraction: The Greens/EFA) will also attend.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with the audience. We will end the evening with drinks and a book-signing session by Marie-Monique Robin.

Practical info

• Wednesday 11 May, 7:00 p.m.
• At Cinema Galeries (Galerie de la Reine 26, 1000 Brussels)
• Please note that the event will take place in French (screening with English subtitles).
• The event is now fully booked.

An event co-organised by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium and The Greens/EFA