As the pace of life today accelerates towards an uncertain future, quick remedies to one's problems can seem appealing - a snack at one's favourite fast food outlet, a fast car to shuttle one between places, a quick fix to manage unsightly waste. While all these offer effortless, speedy solutions, they often bring with them unwanted, hidden an potentially harmful consequences.
Strong message
Taking a detective's lens to the veiled industries that produce these “solutions”, a number of documentaries in recent years have exposed the environmental threats our lifestyles are posing. Shedding light on global warming, questioning why electric cars haven't seen the light of day, or revealing why the processed food industry bad, these films have had impact across the planet.
These are some environmental movies you don't want to miss.
The Inconvenient Truth (2006) – Narrated by the Former U.S. Vice President, Al Gore, this documentary blows the lid on the planets hottest issue – Global Warming.
This film proved as hot as its topic of issue, grossing over 49 million dollars, and winning two Oscars at the 2007 Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and Best Original Song. Who killed the Electric Car? (2006) – Focusing on the premature death of the electric car in the United States, with General Motors EV1 as the primary instance, the film questions the motives for the EV1 recall and destruction. Touching on several environmental topics, such as Global Warming and pollution, “Who Killed The Electric Car” explores the role that Oil Companies and the Auto Industries may have played in the electric cars demise.
There are several celebrity appearances in the film, including Tom Hanks and Mel Gibson, who talk about their driving experience of the vehicle. The film has sparked debate over clean, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels and its message is not one to fizzle out any time soon.
Erin Brokovich (2000) – The film stars Hollywood pretty woman Julia Roberts. Based on the true incidents in the life of Erin Brokovich, the movie relates her legal battles with the Pacific Gas And Electric Company who had been dumping industrial waste (hexavalent chromium) into a small-town water supply.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film earned itself multiple Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Director, landing Julia Roberts the Best Actress Award. Watch it for the environmental victory it dramatises.
Be The Change (2008) – A movie that propagates “living lightly”, it discusses a weighty issue in an unconventional way. As the director himself puts it, Be the Change “avoids both preaching and scare tactics”, while showcasing the lives of people who are living sustainably.
Writer and Director David Chernushenko, delivers a positive message through his fifty five minute documentary, while injecting hope into those who cannot imagine small changes making a big difference.
One can definitely learn how to live better and reduce one's carbon footprint from the numerous examples in the film.
Food Inc. (2008) – The tagline promises “You'll never look at dinner the same way”, hinting at what dark truths lie waiting in this movie. It gives us appetite killing truths about how our food is grown, animal abuse and how these processes affect the environment, A movie that will make you freeze and stare at the popcorn you are eating, Food Inc. reveals some hard to digest facts that leave a sour impression on your taste buds
