The medium of film is a powerful one that when utilized effectively, could shape one’s understanding of different subject matters. It is one that I am very passionate about and feel can be underappreciated when it comes to being able to convey important information and themes. One message that has become fairly prevalent in quite a few films is that of the environment and the different aspects that go along with it. Whether it be in fiction or nonfiction, it is a topic that filmmakers tend to be fascinated with and in recent years, they have been very creative in the ways they choose to present their messaging. With this post, I will be looking at different films from a variety of genres and what they had to say regarding the environment as well as their legacy and impact. So without further ado, let’s dig right in!
WALL-E
Where to Watch: Disney+ and all major rental platforms
This classic from Pixar Animation concerns a robot left to clean up Earth after it was abandoned by the human race due to being inhospitable. It was definitely well regarded and successful at the time. It was immensely acclaimed, won the best animated feature Oscar, and grossed over $521 million worldwide. But, its reputation seems to have only grown over time due to the relevancy of its story and the messages it is tackling. Director, Andrew Stanton, clearly has a lot to say in regards to our planet. This includes pollution and the dangers of worsening our planet due to consumerism. The film argues that the planet would be much better if we focused on trying to improve our environment and way of life instead of consumerism taking over and simply giving up. That eventually becomes the main motivation of Captain B. McCrea decides to actually take action to get the ship back to Earth so that humanity can begin to try and thrive again. It is a beautiful and often poetic film that is able to convey so much just through visuals. Great for the whole family while also being a highlight of Pixar’s filmography.
Avatar
Where to watch: Disney+ and all major rental platforms
James Cameron’s sci fi epic defied all of the odds when it came out back in December of 2009. It opened to a very solid $77 million before having unthinkable holds in the weekends to come, making over $749 million in its initial theatrical run and over $2.7 billion to become the biggest film of all time. There are numerous reasons as to why it connected with so many people on a global scale, the main one being its environmental messaging. The film follows a soldier named Jake Scully who is sent to go and infiltrate the alien species known as the Na’vi in order to learn more about their resources and get information for the company he works for. However he soon finds himself growing a connection with the Na’vi people which forces him to choose between sides. The movie looks to promote an environmental harmony between human nature, where both can co exist together. This is present in the Na’vi culture which maintains values of being connected with the environment which maintains an equality between all living things. This is in stark contrast to the RDA which wants to destroy anything related to these values and beliefs. The movie works well as both a thoughtful exploration of these ideas while also still serving as a visually stunning blockbuster that provides all of the thrills and emotions that one expects from a James Cameron picture.
Erin Brockovich
Where to watch: Peacock and all major rental platforms
This Julia Roberts starring vehicle was a major breakout for both her and its director Stephen Soderbergh. It was a surprise breakout hit earning over $256 million globally and earning numerous Academy Awards recognition, with Roberts winning the golden statue for best actress. It is based on the true story of a woman trying to make ends meet who ends up working at her attorney’s law firm and ends up in an investigation related to contaminated water in a community and the cover up that is involved. This film definitely aims to point a critical eye towards corporations who do not have sustainable practices on their mind, doing things for their own self interest instead of for the population at large. One of the bigger problems when it comes to trying to implement good environmental practices is how these big corporations have the money and power to get their way and avoid any consequences, making this story all the more impressive and inspiring. The film also isn’t afraid to tackle the health risks and effects that come from the contaminated water as many victims become affected over the course of the film. It shows how important sustainability is not just for the planet but for the health of the people as well.
An Inconvenient Truth
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video and all major rental platforms
This is an Oscar winning documentary that features former presidential candidate, Al Gore, utilizing PowerPoint slides in order to discuss climate change and how humans have messed up the environment. Becoming the 11th biggest documentary ever at the U.S. box office, the film is definitely very upfront in terms of its messaging with Gore serving as a compelling mouthpiece in terms of getting the message out there. The main takeaway is related to Greenhouse gases and how there is a great need in order to take care of them now, so that the future damage that is caused can be as minimal as possible.
The Day After Tomorrow
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, and all major rental platforms
Roland Emmerich has a tendency for silly, over the top disaster movies, and The Day After Tomorrow is no different. It is full of ridiculous moments, bombastic special effects, and a lot of cheesy melodrama. Yet it still has a charm to it, where one can understand why it made over $587 million worldwide 20 years ago. That being said, despite the ridiculousness there is still a strong environmental message related to climate change that I think is pretty effective. While obviously dramatized, the movie still portrays the potential consequences of inaction by showcasing these massive weather events that can be drastic. Similar to An Inconvenient Truth (although very differently executed), the film is trying to be a call to action in order to get people to not be dismissive of the warning signs, which the scientists in the movie point out. It definitely is focused on large scale action, but I also appreciate how it showcases the character reflecting on the impact we have on our planet.
The Wild Robot
Where to watch: All major rental platforms
This is a more recent release, but one that I feel absolutely does deserve to be on this list. This critically acclaimed animated melodrama from Dreamworks Animation and director, Chris Sanders, follows a robot named Roz who gets stranded on an island and learns to communicate with the animals who reside there. This one has been greeted with immense critical acclaim and is a big hit at over $323 million worldwide on a $79 million budget. It is a beautiful story that touches upon many different themes such as parenthood, love, nature vs. nurture, and an environmental bent in there. The film is all about protecting the natural world and its beauty from harm, with Roz coming to serve as the stewardship of the island, learning to successfully cooperate with nature after having a rough first encounter with it. It also makes the argument for how technology can be used as a tool to perhaps sustain life when used correctly, although never at the expense of one’s humanity. I especially appreciated how the writers argue that in order to make the world a better place, being kind is a crucial ingredient in that process as it can truly inspire change in a way few other things can, which is exemplified through the way the other animals act after Roz helps them out.
Don’t Look Up
Where to watch: Netflix
Adam McKay’s star studded dramedy concerning a meteor coming towards Earth and the response towards it, was a ratings juggernaut back in 2021. It takes a satirical look at what would happen if the world was going to end and the response that would occur from the U.S. government. The film has a lot to say in regards to climate inaction where climate change does not get addressed to the inaction of those at the top. The feature also shows the value that science holds and how important it is to hear the voices of those who have the knowledge such as scientists. There are various scenes, including one involving DiCaprio’s character on live TV, venting their frustrations by stating what needs to be said, even if no one wants to or is afraid to hear it, which shows the difficulty of getting information out there or getting people to take action when there is such a large amount of indifference in the world.
My Octopus Teacher
Where to watch: Netflix
Netflix contains a variety of very solid and well made nature documentaries that do a good job of showcasing the environment. This one stands out given the more personal touch that is brought. The story follows a filmmaker diving into a kelp forest off the coast of South Africa where he meets a female octopus whom he forms a strong connection with. It won the Academy Award for best documentary back in 2021 and is an interesting look into the kelp environment known as the “Great African Sea Forest” and the life and anatomy of an octopus. However it also works as an emotional story about the unlikely bond between this scientist and the octopus as he observes her wave of life. Seeing this unfold showed the interconnectedness humanity can have with nature and the respect we must have towards all living creatures in nature in order to maintain a sustainable harmony with our environment. It shows the value biodiversity has on this Earth and why it needs to be preserved, often shown by the beauty of the Kelp Forest and the importance it has in regards to maintaining a good habitat for the creatures who reside such as the eponymous octopus teacher.
Interstellar
Where to watch: Pluto TV, Paramount +, and all major rental platforms
At the time, Christopher Nolan’s sci fi odyssey concerning a group of scientists being sent into space in order to find a planet that is habitable for the population of Earth to move to, was quite polarizing. While financially successful (around $677 million worldwide at the time, which was huge for a wholly original project), and well received, there was still a sense of disappointment from many who felt it was one of the director’s lesser efforts. However its reputation has only improved over time, with many considering it a modern sci-fi classic whose themes still resonate to this day. Nolan is clearly concerned about the long term health of our planet, showcasing how important it is for us to take care of our home. There is much in the way of provocative imagery that is effective in conveying this such as the misty dust storms that give the planet a near apocalyptic sense of dread. He shows to think much of the long term effects of the actions we take and how they affect our planet. He also stresses how important it is to sustain our world so that the next generation can thrive and improve upon the mistakes of the past as shown through the motivation of Matthew McCoughnhey’s Cooper who takes on this perilous mission so that he can help pave the way for a brighter future for his children.
Happy Feet
Where to watch: All major rental platforms
As far as director filmographies go, there are very few who have one as eclectic as George Miller as the man can go from making violent action movies like Mad Max to family friendly comedies like Happy Feet. He is also someone who is very pronounced in regards to his avid support of the environment, hence why the penguin movie was such a big passion project for him. The premise is simple as it involves a penguin named Mumble who isn’t good at singing, instead excelling at dancing, which makes everyone else in the colony look down upon him. However there is more at play regarding the environmental themes, with the film showcasing all of the different ways in which global warming is affecting the food chain in the arctic, forcing birds to hunt baby penguins due to the lack of food in the ocean. Miller stated that he was inspired by his visits to zoos in Sydney as well as the ozone hole where he really started to learn the negative impacts that humans can have on the environment.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, film has shown to be a very effective form of media in regards to conveying and exemplifying different messages that have a great deal of importance such as sustainability. Whether it is through compelling courtroom dramas, grand fantasy spectacles, silly disaster movies, thought provoking documentaries, or enjoyable family adventures, it is something that can be portrayed in a variety of manners. That’s what makes film such a great medium to try these experiments and hopefully it will work in getting people to take action and help make sustainability a reality, not just a fictional aspiration.
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