THE RACE TO SAVE THE WORLD plays in a ‘World Premiere’ as part of the ‘Documentaries For Change ‘ Section of the Paris International Film Festival 2021 online until 14th February 2021
Tickets and Passes available at: https://www.parisintlfest.com/
Climate change continues to form the backbone of global and personal concerns and a new documentary looks at the efforts of committed if a little reckless individuals trying to make their mark and take action before a so-called day of reckoning.
Joe Gantz’s THE RACE TO SAVE THE WORLD is one of two key documentaries focusing on the subject in the 2021 Paris International Film Festival (the other being the excellent KISS THE GROUND looking at soil regeneration) and this analyses the more deeply personal connection that people have with their environment and a select number of people who fall into all manner of initiatives to make their statement of intent.
Two featured here are Michael, a man who has turned off an oil pipeline from Canada and is clearly aware of his actions having potentially negative consequences, as well as some regret at not having more connection with his family because of his obsession. Then there is Abby, who has expressed concern about the oil trains in her locality when one blew up about a mile from her daughter’s school and decided with others to block the line the aforementioned train was rolling on by sitting in a box on a tripod twenty feet up in the air.
We see others walking thousands of miles to express themselves, as well as the events of things like the New York Climate March. We see a teenager using song to express himself and clearly being emotional and stubborn about it. Inevitably, the legal ramifications begin to set in and all are held to account for their own actions and concerns…..
THE RACE TO SAVE THE WORLD is more of a companion piece to the wider berth of charities and humanitarian organisations who have been campaigning for better environmental change over the decades (Greenpeace turns up at one point during a sequence when a bunch of kayaks protest at an oil atoll situated in a lake).
Now, you probably will be in agreement with some of the perspectives in the film, but you do get a sense that some of the individuals are a little selfish in their manner, particularly Michael and Abby (who freezes during her legal hearing and is seen to be arguing with her defence counsel, berated in turn by the judge in the courtroom).
That’s not to say that their objectives is not uncommon, as there is more than a fair share of awareness in the world and perhaps people need to have more faith in some of what their respective governments are doing. The strength of the film here is in the human, rather than the moral and political, face and the truth never lies here. An grounded and honest affair, which may prompt reflection in the audience alongside other films like AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.
That said, it’s a democratic choice whether we do take action.
For more on the film, please go to: http://www.theracetosavetheworld.com/
