Rainforests are one of the most special environments in the world, often called “jewels of earth”. They house a host of lush plants and colorful animals under a continuous canopy of trees. Many species of plants and organisms are concealed deep in tropical rainforests, still undiscovered by humans. Tragically, rainforests are quickly disappearing due to deforestation, resulting in greater atmosphere pollution and habitat loss for millions of plants and animals.
On June 22nd, we recognize these magnificent environments through World Rainforest Day. This day was initiated in 2017 by the Rainforest Partnership who works with local indigenous communities to help restore healthy rainforests. The theme of this year’s celebration is “The time is now," indicating the urgency of rainforest protection and preservation.
These five films demonstrate the unique beauty of rainforests around the world, as well as the urgency of protecting them. These films would be beneficial to library programs that discuss preservation, especially for children and young adults.
Also, check out our selection of films for the International Day of Forests
The Borneo Case (2017)
In what amounts to a follow-up to the 1989 documentary Tong Tana, filmmakers Erik Pauser and Dylan Williams continue a story of perfidy and environmental devastation in the Malaysian Borneo rainforests. Eventually, the good-guy Davids triumph over the seeming Goliath of a dictator-for-life and powerful financial interests in this inspiring story of "people power" fueling an eco-victory and non-violently undermining a dirty regime.
Check out our review of The Borneo Case
Embrace of the Serpent (2015)
Nominated for Best Foreign Film, Embrace of the Serpent serves up a meditation on colonialism's devastation of the Cohiuano, one of Colombia's indigenous tribes, who were brutally ravaged by the rubber industry and Roman Catholic missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Set on the Amazon River, the story focuses on Karamakate, a native shaman who is the sole survivor of his people and over a 40-year period he develops a relationship with two different scientists.
Check out our review of Embrace of the Serpent
Emerald Forest (1985)
In this 1985 adventure film, director John Boorman explores the intersection of civilized and primitive cultures, as well as the roles of myth and ritual, and the notion of supernatural power in nature. Based on a true story, The Emerald Forest stars Powers Boothe as Bill Markham, an American engineer building a dam in the Amazon basin, whose 7-year-old son, Tommy, is “rescued” by a rainforest tribe and raised as one of their own.
Check out our review of Emerald Forest
FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
A simple environmental fable, 1992's animated FernGully tells the story of a fairy named Crysta and a teenage boy named Zak who join forces against the evil Hexxus (Tim Curry), an oily, oozy sort who's a danger to the rainforest and downright nasty to boot.
Check out our review of FernGully: The Last Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest (1992)
Tropical Rainforest, originally shown in IMAX theaters, is a beautifully filmed majestic tribute to the natural wonder of the tropical rainforest. Shot in Costa Rica and Malaysia, this lovely film uses simple narration to tell the story of life (and death) in the rainforest, beginning with the extinction of the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago up to the current destruction.
Check out our review of Tropical Rainforest