Cinema explores the climate crisis through documentaries and satire

Recent cinematic works are exploring the complexities of the climate crisis through different lenses, ranging from educational documentaries to satirical feature films.

Documentaries such as ‘The Human Element’ (2018) focus on the personal impact of environmental changes on individuals in regions like California and the Arctic. Other titles like ‘2040’ offer a solution-oriented perspective by visualizing potential technological advancements, while ‘Merchants of Doubt’ examines the historical role of industry lobbies in spreading scientific uncertainty.

In the realm of fiction, director Alejandro González Iñárritu has released ‘Digger’, a satirical comedy starring Tom Cruise. The film depicts a wealthy oil tycoon whose actions trigger environmental catastrophes, such as methane releases in Greenland. The narrative utilizes a theatrical structure to reflect on how future generations might view current environmental inaction, employing high-fidelity VistaVision cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki.