Earth’s biopic

If you are doing nothing else this week, then watch Home, a brilliant film about uncertain future of life on the earth.

With a mix of stunning photography and powerful words, the film delivers a stark message: we need to mend our ways. Watch it online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU"ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU.

The film begins with an unnecessary science-heavy depiction of the Earth’s make-up that takes away somewhat from its overall message and risks, strengthening doubts of the sceptics. Bear with it, however. This is not a typical “save the world” documentary. It soon offers some compelling cinema.

It moves on to exploring the miracle of life, from the creation of the Earth to the rise of humans. It then demonstrates why our increasing dependence on non-renewable, depleting resources means we cannot continue living as we are. The film goes beyond energy issues and explores dangers of exhausted water supplies, over-fishing and widespread deforestation. It then touches on overpopulation, poverty and migration, the combined effect of which will have a drastic impact on us.

The film does brush over the ramifications of declining oil reserves, particularly alongside a rapidly growing population and rising food prices. Massive migration, as a consequence of climactic change and dwindling oil reserves, is also understated—though space for added complexity, in what is already a jam-packed ninety-minute film, is limited. A perfect harmony of stunning photography, powerful music, alarming facts and an unpretentious philosophical edge takes the viewer on a gripping journey of past, present and future. Many facts are alarming, but Home does not go down the road of oblivion.

Home ends with a brilliant, refreshingly optimistic summary of possible solutions to our growing energy needs and to the destruction of the environment.

Benjamin Blech is a Thailand-based journalist

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