Watch Not Without Us
- 2016
- 1 hr 9 min
-
6.7 (13)
Not Without Us is a documentary film that explores the efforts of grassroots organizations to combat climate change in various parts of the world, from the Arctic to South America. The film is directed by Mark Decena and features interviews with environmental activists, scientists, and indigenous leaders. The central theme of the film is the idea that any meaningful response to climate change must be led by the people who are most directly affected by it. As one of the interviewees notes, "The people who are on the front lines of climate change are the people who have done the least to cause it."
Throughout the film, we see examples of how communities are coming together to fight back against the forces that are driving climate change. In one scene, we visit a small village in Peru where the local residents have been organizing resistance to a proposed gold mine that would devastate their way of life. In another, we meet a group of indigenous leaders in Alaska who are working to protect their traditional lands from the impacts of oil drilling and other extractive industries.
One of the film's most compelling storylines follows the efforts of environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey to raise awareness about the oil industry's impact on the Niger Delta. Bassey describes the devastating effects of oil spills, which have destroyed local fishing and farming communities, and he argues that multinational oil companies are stoking conflict and corruption in the region.
Another major theme of the film is the idea that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but also a social and economic one. As Pat Mooney, an activist with the ETC Group, notes, "Climate change is not just about the weather changing, it's about power changing." We see this dynamic in action in scenes that focus on the impact of food and agriculture systems on climate change, and the ways in which multinational corporations and global trade agreements are exacerbating the problem.
Despite the many challenges and obstacles that the film's subjects face, there is a strong sense of hope and determination throughout Not Without Us. We see examples of how people are coming together to create alternative systems and models of sustainability, from community gardens to renewable energy projects.
One of the film's most powerful moments comes near the end, when we see a group of indigenous youth who have been brought together from different parts of the world to discuss their shared experiences of climate change. As they talk about the impact that environmental destruction has had on their communities, we are reminded that the fight against climate change is one that affects all of us, regardless of race, nationality or geography.
Overall, Not Without Us is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that offers a much-needed perspective on the fight against climate change. By highlighting the voices of those who are most affected by the crisis, the film challenges us to think differently about the solutions that are needed and the role that we all play in creating a more sustainable future.
Not Without Us is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.