Movies About Sustainability

From Yann Arthus-Bertrand, starring Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Glenn Close, Jacques Gamblin
Rated Not Rated

Home is a 2009 documentary film by French director Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The film is a collection of aerial footage from fifty-four countries which provide a look at the Earth from a bird's eye view. The film looks at the many challenges facing humanity, including global warming, deforestation, and pollution, and also explores the beauty of the planet as well as the diversity of life on it. The film also examines the effects of overpopulation, industrialization, and consumerism on the environment, as well as the impact of war and poverty on human societies. Ultimately, Home offers a call to action, urging viewers to protect the Earth and its inhabitants.

From Louie Psihoyos, starring Richard O'Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Hardy Jones, Michael Illiff
Rated PG-13

The Cove is a 2009 documentary film directed by Louie Psihoyos about the illegal hunting of dolphins in Japan. The film focuses on a small village in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan, where dolphins are hunted and killed by fishermen. The film follows Ric O'Barry, a former dolphin trainer-turned-activist, as he works with a team of activists to document the dolphin slaughter. Through the use of hidden cameras, the team is able to capture the horrific and inhumane practice of capturing and killing dolphins. The film also examines the dolphin meat industry and its environmental and human health impacts. The film ends with a call to action to end the dolphin hunting in Japan and raises awareness about the need for conservation and protection of dolphins worldwide.

From Godfrey Reggio, starring Edward Asner, Pat Benatar, Jerry Brown, Johnny Carson
Rated Not Rated

Koyaanisqatsi is a 1982 American experimental film directed by Godfrey Reggio and produced by Francis Ford Coppola. The film is a visual montage of slow motion and time-lapse footage of cities and landscapes across the United States, set to a minimalist score by Philip Glass. The film seeks to demonstrate the negative impact of human interference with natural cycles on the environment, and to suggest a sense of alienation from nature felt by modern society. It is the first of the Qatsi trilogy, which also includes Powaqqatsi (1988) and Naqoyqatsi (2002). The film has no script and no actors, and its title has no direct English translation. The film is divided into eight distinct sections, including a title sequence and an end segment.

From Gabriela Cowperthwaite, starring Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall
Rated PG-13

Blackfish is a documentary film released in 2013. It follows the story of Tilikum, an orca living in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando, and the consequences of keeping him in a controlled environment. Through interviews with former SeaWorld trainers and experts in the animal behavior field, the film reveals the physical and psychological toll of captivity on Tilikum and other orcas held captive for entertainment. The film explores the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity, including Tilikum’s involvement in the deaths of three people, the potential effects of captivity on the health and behavior of orcas, the dangers posed to trainers, and the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity for human entertainment. The film is a powerful indictment of inhumane practices of keeping orcas in captivity and an urgent call to action to end it.

From John Chester, starring John Chester, Molly Chester, Todd, Alan York
Rated PG

The Biggest Little Farm is a 2018 documentary by director John Chester chronicling the eight-year journey of he and his wife Molly as they attempt to create a sustainable farm on 200 acres outside of Los Angeles. With the help of experts and the natural world around them, they convert the barren land into a thriving homestead with a diverse array of animals and plants. Along the way, they battle drought, pests, and other challenges, while learning about the complex interconnectedness of nature and the importance of holistic farming. With stunning cinematography and a heartfelt story, the film celebrates the resilience of nature, the power of community, and the rewards of hard work.

From Robert Kenner, starring Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Richard Lobb, Vince Edwards
Rated PG

Food, Inc. is a documentary film directed by Robert Kenner, released in 2008. It examines the industrial production of food in America and the corporate practices that have resulted in the contamination of the nation's food supply. The film investigates the economic and political influences that have allowed large food companies to dominate the U.S. food industry, and explores issues such as food safety, food labeling, animal welfare and environmental protection. In particular, it focuses on the industrialization of meat production and its human and environmental impacts. It also looks at the increased use of corn and soy-based products in the production of food, and their effects on health and nutrition. The film includes interviews with people from all sides of the food industry, including farmers, activists, industry advocates, politicians, and scientists. The film concludes with a call to action, suggesting that individuals can make a difference by becoming informed and making conscious choices about what they eat.

From Jeff Orlowski-Yang, starring James Balog, Svavar Jónatansson, Louie Psihoyos, Kitty Boone
Rated PG-13

Chasing Ice is a 2012 documentary directed by Jeff Orlowski-Yang. The film follows photographer James Balog as he travels to some of the most remote locations in the world to document the effects of climate change on glaciers. Through a series of breathtaking time-lapse photographs, Balog captures the inexorable decline of some of the world’s most majestic ice formations. Along the way, Balog faces the danger and hardship of his expedition, and ultimately succeeds in providing a powerful and dramatic visual record of the devastating effects of global warming. By interweaving these stunning visuals with interviews from leading climate scientists, Chasing Ice offers a powerful and sobering look at the effects of climate change and the urgent need for action to address it.

From Deborah Koons Garcia, starring Charles Benbrook, Grace Booth, George W. Bush, Ignacio Chapela
Rated Not Rated

The Future of Food (2004) is a documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia, which examines the complex and often controversial global issues surrounding the production of food. It looks at the various ways in which the food industry is being affected by corporate consolidation and genetic engineering, particularly in terms of its impact on the environment and the safety of food. The film also investigates the struggle of small farmers against the large agribusinesses, examining the consequences of relying on these companies for food production. Ultimately, the film argues for the need for sustainable agriculture practices that can ensure a safe and secure future for our food supply.

From Candida Brady, starring Paul Connett, Jeremy Irons, Evangelos Kalafatis, Charles Moore
Rated Not Rated

Trashed (2012) is a documentary film directed by Candida Brady. It focuses on the growing global problem of waste and the disastrous effects it is having on the environment. The movie follows actor Jeremy Irons as he investigates the causes and consequences of waste, traveling to places such as Lebanon, Vietnam, France and Indonesia to understand the issue. Along the way, he meets with scientists, environmentalists and everyday people to gain insight into how this problem is affecting the world. The film also offers solutions for managing and reducing waste and provides an eye-opening account of how much of an impact humans have on the environment.

From Rob Stewart, starring Nnimmo Bassey, Krystyna Bednarska, Adrienne Maree Brown, Lester Brown
Rated PG

Revolution is a 2012 documentary film directed by Rob Stewart. The film follows Stewart's journey to uncover the cause of the rapidly accelerating extinction of Earth's species, and to find a way to stop it. Stewart travels to more than fifteen countries on six continents, meeting with scientists, environmental activists, and political leaders. He examines the impact of climate change, ocean acidification, and habitat destruction, and how human behavior is driving these changes. In the film, Stewart also explores the potential of renewable energy to help solve our environmental crisis. Through the course of his journey, Stewart discovers that the real solution to our environmental problems is revolutionary thinking and a commitment to change. The film calls on viewers to be part of the solution, and to join the revolution in order to save the planet and reverse the damage done to the environment.

From Anthony Baxter, starring Michael Forbes, Donald Trump, Anthony Baxter, Kevin Brown
Rated Not Rated

You've Been Trumped is a 2011 documentary film directed by Anthony Baxter that chronicles Donald Trump's controversial plan to construct a luxury golf resort on an environmentally sensitive area of Scotland's coastline. The film follows the story of a small group of Scottish residents, who are determined to protect their community and the environment from Trump's development, despite the relentless pressure from local and national authorities. The documentary explores how Trump's development has impacted the local community, as well as the consequences of the Scottish government's decisions to allow the construction to proceed. Additionally, it highlights the community's efforts to stand up to the power of the Trump Organization and ultimately win their battle. The film also features interviews with Trump himself, as well as members of the local community.

From Directors: Mathieu Roy, Harold Crooks, starring Ronald Wright, Mark Levine, Robert Wright, Marina Silva
Rated Not Rated

From Davis Guggenheim, starring Al Gore, Billy West, George Bush, George W. Bush
Rated PG

From Directors: Leila Conners, Nadia Conners, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kenny Ausubel, Thom Hartmann, Wangari Maathai
Rated PG

From Directors: Marshall Curry, Sam Cullman, starring Daniel McGowan, Lisa McGowan, Tim Lewis, Kirk Engdall
Rated Unrated

From Laura Dunn, starring Curtis Peterson, Gary Bradley, Willie Nelson, Ann Richards
Rated Not Rated

From Directors: Laura Gabbert, Justin Schein, starring Colin Beavan, Michelle Conlin
Rated Not Rated

From Directors: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk, starring Al Gore, Cory Booker, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton
Rated PG