Film Fest DC: Tomorrow – Envisioning a More Sustainable Future
04/10/2017
But where are the films about us solving the problem and turning things around?
That was the question that inspired filmmakers Cyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent to make their two hour documentary Tomorrow. While, there are many, many movies about the dangers of climate change and other looming environmental threats these films tend be more about scaring people and instilling in them a feeling of despair. Tomorrow has the opposite effect; it inspires hope and a belief that maybe just maybe humanity’s future can be a bright one – IF we work to make it so.
Tomorrow is divided into five chapters – Agriculture, Energy, Economy, Democracy, and Education – each exploring something that would need to be changed/revolutionized to make for a better society. Laurent and Dion travel around the world to see reforms in all of these that can offer lessons to others. They interview urban farmers in Detroit and permaculture experts in France who demonstrate how sustainable agriculture practices can not only feed the planet but foster job growth and communities as well. We learn that Copenhagen (and a number of other cities) has made it its goal to be completely carbon neutral. It’s already reduced emissions by 40 percent since 1995 and by 2025 will be powered entirely by renewable energy. Iceland is already nearly self-sufficient thanks to geothermal energy and hydroelectric power – they’re just working on powering their cars via electric battery. We visit San Francisco’s enormous composting program which has been adopted by 300 cities and 1,000 vineyards. We learn of new economic models, including local economies that use their own currency expressly to keep money local. Finally, we visit Finland to see what are some of the highest performing public schools in the Western world.
The visuals are beautiful, with great cinematography. The musical score is quite cleverly chosen as well, but best of all, in a world where it seems that every headline we read is more bad news, Tomorrow has the audacity to hope.
Tomorrow will be screened as part of FilmFest DC from April 20 through April 30. Go to the website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Photo courtesy of Disturb Film