In an interesting meta-note, Australian filmmaker Peter Charles Downey here goes on a Yarra Valley radio show during Suicide Prevention Month to discuss this eco-alert documentary, which he positions as a call to the human race to not commit mass self-destruction. Along the way, Downey serves up a litany of woes: human population is ballooning out of control; growth-at-any-cost capitalism is creating wealth inequity, stress, and mental illness; fossil fuels are running out (here, a radio caller scolds Downey for driving a car; he pleads guilty); and species are going extinct while rainforests are being eradicated at a rate never before seen. And, of course, there's global warming. While all of these issues have been widely addressed before, Downey offers a solid comprehensive overview in a film that combines imaginative graphics and visuals with invigorating interviews of, among others, author Paul Ehrlich and Bindi (daughter of Steve) Irwin. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)
Surviving Earth
(2014) 95 min. DVD: $39: public libraries; $195: colleges & universities. DRA. Green Planet Films. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 30, Issue 2
Surviving Earth
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: