The catastrophic scenes of our home being hit by natural disasters, the struggle to tackle the dystopian future of planet earth; climate change and environmental issues have long been important elements in movies. Greenpeace supporters are familiar with the idea of having cinema to work for the climate. In the hope of raising environmental awareness, Greenpeace hosted various screening events including the “Earth Day Environmental Documentary Festival” and the Greenpeace Film Festival. However, most of our past events only happened online. This winter, we are excited to take our screenings into real cinemas in Hong Kong.
This year, on the special occasion of the 50th edition of the Hong Kong French Film Festival (HKFFF) and the 50th anniversary of Greenpeace, the two collaborated to present the program ‘Cinema for the Climate’ as part of the film festival happening from 24th November to 14th December 2021.
Having ‘cinema to work for the climate’ is a way to respond to the worsening climate crisis, in the hope to raise awareness and promoting understanding on environmental issues. It is also an urgent call to unite more people to tackle the crisis.
Co-curated by Greenpeace East Asia and the Hong Kong French Film Festival, the ‘Cinema for the Climate’ includes four documentaries: “Animal”, “Bigger Than Us”, “Legacy, Notre Héritage” and “Above Water” (Marcher sur l’eau); three of which were also selected in the ‘Cinema for the Climate’ section in the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. The four selected French documentaries, with English subtitles, will take you on journeys to meet young climate campaigners around the world, to witness movement for water resources in a remote village in Africa, and to appreciate the beauty of the earth at the farthest end.
Greenpeace X Hong Kong French Film Festival ‘Cinema for the Climate’
“Animal”
Director: Cyril Dion Duration: 120 minutes
Can human beings relationship with animals be more than just predator-prey? Following the successful environmental documentary “Tomorrow” (2015), director Cyril Dion’s “Animal” uses the perspective of the younger generation to re-examine the place of human beings among the living and explore issues on preserving biodiversity, in an attempt to re-imagine a non-apocalyptic future. As inspired by Cyril Dion and the primatologist Jane Goodall, two teenagers Bella and Vipulan embark on a journey to meet scientists and activists, in search of ways for us to better coexist with other animals. (Watch Trailer)
“Bigger Than Us”
Director: Flore Vasseur, 2021 Duration: 96 minutes
The younger generation is rising up to fight and fix big issues, such as environmental justice, refugee rescue and education, women’s rights, food security and the freedom of speech. Melati, the heroine of the film is one of them, she has been fighting plastic pollution for 6 years in her hometown Bali, Indonesia. “Bigger Than Us”, directed by Flore Vasseur and co-produced by actress Marion Cotillard, centred Malati’s journey around the globe to meet six other like-minded youngsters, who are also, against all odds, fighting for something big – a better future. These youngsters show us how to strive and be alive in this era of chaos. (Watch Trailer)
“Legacy，Notre Héritage”
Director: Yann Arthus-Bertrand Duration: 100 minutes
12 years after “Home” (2009), renowned aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand returned with his most personal documentary, “Legacy, Notre Héritage”, a film that tells the story of his 50 years of commitment to environmental conservation. Through his lens, with his powerful storytelling technique, Arthus-Bertrand revealed the wounds and sufferings of our planet earth, all the damages done by human beings. This story of humans and nature is a call for collective responsibility, a call for us to reconcile with nature and rebuild our home. (Watch Trailer)
“Above Water” (Marcher Sur L’eau)
Director: Aïssa Maïga Duration: 90 minutes
Water is the source of life, yet a billion people in the world have no access to safe drinking water. Directed by French African actress Aïssa Maïga, “Above Water” tells the story of a 12-year-old girl, Houlaye, who lives in a village in Tatis, Niger; who had to walk several kilometres every day to get clean water. The film recorded villagers’ struggles with water shortage and education between 2018 to 2020. It was only when they realised that there is a water source 200 meters below the surface that they finally saw hope. (Watch Trailer)
For more information: Hong Kong French Film Festival X Greenpeace ‘Cinema for the Climate
Join us to save the climate! We are giving away tickets for the screening and post-screening sharing session of “Animal” happening on 4th December to our supporters. Get started with a monthly donation of $150 to become Greenpeace’s monthly donor by 30th November and you will be given 2 free tickets to the events to see the empowering journey of the two young climate activists. If you are already our monthly donor, please contact our member service hotline: (852) 2854 8318 or email [email protected] for any inquiries. Tickets are limited and will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.