Film Review
Pierre Barougier and Olivier Bourgeois's thought-provoking
eco-documentary doesn't mince it words and offers a sobering meditation
on the greatest issue of our time, namely the necessity for mankind to
move beyond the current economic paradigm to secure a future for his
species. The film combines authoritative statements from four
eminent contributors - James Lovelock, Edgar Morin, Mikhaïl
Gorbatchev and Wangari Maathai - with stark images that contrast the
unspoiled natural beauty of Planet Earth with the devastation wrought
by relentless industrialisation.
Nous resterons sur Terre is a
timely and well-balanced piece which states its case with clarity,
without resorting to the kind of hysteria and hyperbole that has become
all too noticeable in recent years in the environmental arena.
Perhaps the most striking thing about this film is its subdued tone,
which makes a welcome change from the familiar eco-warriors'
tirade. Although all of the contributors stress that action needs
to be taken urgently to avoid a catastrophe (Lovelock and Gorbatchev
put the case most succinctly), it is interesting that they all appear
to have faith that mankind will rise to the challenge and act before it
is too late. Whilst it is refreshing to watch a pro-environment
documentary which does not conclude with the message that we are all
ineluctably doomed, there is a danger that such an
upbeat assessment may simply bolster the complacency that has so far prevented
individuals and nations from bothering to change their ways.
Whilst
Nous resterons sur Terre
is chillingly astute in its summing up of the mess that we have created
and the challenges that lie ahead, it is pretty mealy-mouthed when it
comes to presenting the likely outcomes if we fail to grasp the
environmental nettle. Most people watching this film may be
misled into thinking that reusing carrier bags or recycling more
cornflakes boxes may solve all our problems. What the film misses (or at
least massively understates) is the necessity for governments across
the globe to act in a coordinated manner to bring about the socio-economic
changes necessary for an environmental revolution.
Without top-down action of a fairly urgent and dramatic kind, there
isn't a hope.
Nous resterons
sur Terre will doubtless motivate those who are already
environmentally minded to do more, but it is unlikely to convince the
sceptics who, like it or not, are still in the majority and
will doubtless carry on partying until the lights go out.
© James Travers 2011
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Film Synopsis
In the face of dramatic climate change and dwindling natural
resources, we have almost reached the point at which the survival of
our species is threatened unless we change our behaviour. But
mankind has become so disconnected from the natural world that he
hardly notices the devastation he has wrought and can scarcely imagine
the disasters that lie ahead. World leaders appear to be far more
concerned with social problems, which they believe can only be solved
by constantly increasing economic activity. But the world's
resources are finite and the human population is ever-expanding.
Do we still have time to mend our ways or are we walking down a one-way
street towards extinction...?
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.