Watch There Once Was an Island

There Once Was an Island is a powerful and poignant documentary film about the plight of a small Pacific island community struggling in the face of climate change. Directed by Briar March, the film follows the daily lives of the inhabitants of Takuu, a remote island located in the South Pacific, as they face the consequences of the rising sea levels and other environmental challenges that threaten their existence.

The film begins by introducing the audience to the island of Takuu, a beautiful but vulnerable place that is home to a tight-knit community of just over 500 people. For generations, the islanders have lived in harmony with their surroundings, relying on fishing and farming to sustain themselves.

However, as the global climate crisis worsens, the islanders are forced to confront a harsh new reality. The film shows how rising sea levels are slowly eating away at Takuu’s beaches, making it more difficult for the islanders to fish and farm. At the same time, changes in weather patterns and water salinity are disrupting the ecosystem and killing off the fish and crops they depend on.

Through interviews with the islanders, There Once Was an Island captures the deep sense of loss and helplessness that they feel as they watch their way of life disappear. The film shows how the community leaders are doing their best to adapt to the changing conditions and find new ways of sustaining themselves, but their efforts are often thwarted by the lack of resources and support they receive from the outside world.

Despite the bleak circumstances, There Once Was an Island is ultimately a story of hope and resilience. The film shows how the islanders are determined to hold on to their traditions and culture, even as they face the threat of displacement and cultural loss. The film offers a moving portrait of a people’s struggle to survive in a rapidly changing world, and a wake-up call to the rest of us about the urgent need to address the climate crisis.

One of the most striking things about There Once Was an Island is the beauty and intimacy of the filmmaking. The film is shot in a highly personal and immersive style, with the camera often following the islanders as they go about their daily lives. The result is a deeply empathetic portrait of a community facing extraordinary challenges, and a powerful reminder of the human face of the climate crisis.

Another notable aspect of the film is its attention to the larger political and cultural context in which the islanders are living. Through interviews with scientists, activists, and policymakers, the film explores the ways in which the actions of wealthy countries and corporations are exacerbating the climate crisis and contributing to the suffering of vulnerable communities like Takuu. At the same time, the film highlights the resilience and adaptability of the islanders, who are working to preserve their way of life despite overwhelming odds.

Overall, There Once Was an Island is a moving and thought-provoking documentary that offers a powerful critique of the unequal distribution of the effects of the climate crisis, and a stirring tribute to the strength and resourcefulness of the human spirit. It is a film that should be seen by anyone who cares about the fate of our planet and the people who call it home.

There Once Was an Island is a 2010 art house & international movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes.