Film Analysis

Disruption

The film Disruption, produced by Kelly Nyks and directed by Jared P. Scott analyzes the devastating results of climate change and the consequences if people do not fight to change the unsustainable behaviors of industrial capitalism. The fifty-two-minute long documentary gives a glimpse into the work that the People’s Climate Movement put in to organize the largest climate rally in history. The rally taking place during the UN's 2014 world climate summit and having more than a thousand people in attendance. Its purpose is to shine light on the efforts of the People's Climate movement and their fight to gain environmental justice for Communities of color and demand governmental policies for climate change. The film was released on September 7, 2014.

    The film opens with a quote from Fredrick Douglas on a black screen and then footage from the Apollo 8 mission, showing a view of the Earth from the moon's horizon. The astronaut makes a remark about how the Earth is a " grand oasis in the big vastness of space." The image of the Earth slowly rising on the horizon is hauntingly beautiful, but then there is a reminder that the earth is no longer what it used to be. The documentary uses various clips of natural disasters, their aftermath, clips of news reports about the changing weather, and world political leaders discussing the importance of taking action against climate change. The dramatic, intense music and the sound of a clock ticking, brings an atmosphere of suspense, tension, and evokes emotion. The clips of natural disasters, images of protests around the globe, and the count down until the People's Climate March build suspense and anticipation. These clips put emphasis on the urgency in the fight against climate change. The film includes appearances of political leaders, People's Climate leaders, members, and news reporters. The documentary did a successful job at evoking urgency and emotion regarding climate justice. The execution of the film was beautiful in a sad and distressing way. There was a representation of people of color who are affected at disproportionate rates by climate change and showed them taking action. I found the film to be informative, cultivating, and easily comprehensible. Watching the documentary makes you want to be a part of the movement and brings upon the realization that the issue of climate change can not wait. Disruption emphasizes that climate injustice is closer to home than most people think. The film also acknowledges that people might not have climate change at the forefront of their agenda because of responsibilities that are more pressing. It then challenges that idea by acknowledging the psychological rational versus emotional aspect and stating that people often respond present urgent matters before ones that are developing and are just as important, if not more. The movie motivated me to want to become more active in the fight against climate injustice within my community and on a larger scale. I would give this film an A plus because of the impact it left on me, it caught my attention completely and made me reflect on my own experiences with climate injustice. The content was easy to follow, thought evoking, and gave the viewer to feel a sense of inspiration for the future. The appearance of so many people of different ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds showing support for the same cause makes you feel that there is something you can do too. This film is definitely something that everyone should get the chance to see, especily people in communities of color who are directly affected by climate change.