Rylan’s Score: 4.5 Green Stars
Global warming. Climate change. Those words usually send people around the pub table into a frenzied shit-storm of an argument. Most of the time this will include denial, pessimism, or anger directed toward certain “leaders” in the government. What’s usually left unsaid is the genuine technological advances that are available and successfully being used in small pockets of the globe to combat the root causes of the problem. Australian actor/director Damon Gameau delivers a hybrid feature documentary where he explores the possibilities of different timelines we can create for ourselves (no infinity stones required).
Damon sets himself a goal: to create a better future for his 4 year old daughter, Velvet, he will explore solutions on how the planet can be saved within 20 years using existing technologies to combat global warming. Through these visions, he uses animation and effects to demonstrate the possible sustainable futures we can (and should) achieve. Among the eco-friendly developments at his disposal are electric self-driving cars (think Uber, but minus the awkward real life chat roulette), solar power grids in impoverished towns, commitment to women’s education, and seaweed farming.
It’s easy to take a pessimistic ‘end of the world’ attitude when it comes to global warming. Films like Inconvenient Truth and Before the Flood are good in demonstrating the urgency, though they seem to wallow in the misery of the worst-case scenario – the literal end of the world. Gameau addresses these documentaries with an early remark to the camera; “I think there’s room for a different story.” It’s a great angle, one that gets you onside and rooting for Gameau immediately, rather than falling in to a bleak pit of despair.
The outlook of this film is refreshing. On top of reducing emissions, all of the scenarios seem to include resolutions for a plethora of other issues as well, such as; traffic combustion, female oppression, deforestation, electricity independence, animal cruelty, and the difficulties faced by farmers. And, for all you parents out there, no more teenage boys picking your daughter up in their questionable cars for the school formal.
Gameau’s relentlessly cheery persona is perfect for the issues he’s addressing. One of the easiest pitfalls of discussing climate change is alienating the very people you seek to reach with a given message. He recognises that to engage his doubters is to give them freedom of choice, be it through agricultural growth or energy independence. On top of all of this, his Dad jokes are on point.
What I loved most about 2040 was its dedication to optimism. Are these utopian societies just wishful dreams? Maybe. But why can’t we dream? As outlined by Gameau – everything he explores is available and already in use now! You won’t be able to stop thinking of some of the easy ways we can combat this issue after watching. If you have only one climate change doco in you, I’d make it this one.
Rylan Dawson – On The Screen
2040 opened nationally in Australian cinemas on Thursday 23 May 2019. For more information including cinema locations, visit madmanfilms.com.au/2040film.
