nature films vs. critical environmental documentaries

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

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Nature Films vs. Critical Environmental Documentaries

Media, Politics and the Environment

March 27, 2013

Miklos Sukosd


Nature films Documentary film claims to represent reality “Representation of reality”: realism (recording, documentation) “Representation of reality”: objectivity (detachment, journalistic

accuracy, scientific objectivity) Integrity of filmmaker as guarantee of realism and objectivity Nature film at “crossroads of science, popular education, art and

business” (Vivanco, 2002) Key functions are children’s education and adults' entertainment Such documentaries are BOTH educational tools and market

commodities Do they represent “reality” How does commodification impact nature films?

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Assumption: "Wildlife and natural history films are environmentally committed documentaries” (Vivanco, 2002, referring to Bouse, 2000)

Structure, topics, narratives from other (human) film genres

Produced in competitive media markets to capture audiences, to create profit

“Fakery of simulated spectacle and the objectivity of science”

Fantasy world: camera tricks (slow motions, frog eye, etc.)

Lighting and colors adjusted for aesthetic pleasure

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Nature films


Nature films Cutting out references to presence of human life

(electricity poles, cars, etc.)—like in a costume drama Cutting out context: safari tourists,

documentation/context of filmmaking Using music and stock sounds De-familiarizing nature and Earth Creating a beautiful dream world without people

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Nature films

Dramatic framework, narrative: from human stories Fictionalized narratives Anthropomorphization of animal families and individuals Monogamy, responsible parenting, work ethic, late

gratification, gender division of labor Moral values (responsibility, good/bad) implied regarding

animals Violent (bloody) and explicit sexual scenes “censored” Narrative conventions from mainstream Hollywood films

(Bouse 2000)


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Nature films: Planet Earth

Main question of nature films: “What is nature good for? What is it worth?”

Planet Earth answer: “Nature is good looking at.” (Richard Beck: Costing Planet Earth, 2010)

Planet Earth (original BBC television series) cost GBP16 Million

Early nature films: feeding animals and animals’ fight Terrier vs. Wildcat (1906): “animal pornography” Visual pleasure of watching cruelty and torture of

animals (Bouse 2000)


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Predation: no coherent interpretation Threatening (wolves, lions, shark) and

beautiful, “visual delight” (dolphins, cheeta) (Beck, 2000)

21st century eco-cide: “No more spectacle.” Species are disappearing at increasing rate Visual representation: human-like animal

families and individuals


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Filmmakers go after visual pleasures Utilizing and usurping remaining spots for profits What remains? “Last wilderness” Museum of images instead of wildlife “But visual splendor is a poor index of the health of

Earth”s ecosystems.” (Beck 2010) Representation in film vs. real trends of consumer

capitalism as the cause of environmental crisis Nature films: documentation or aesthetic lies?


Critical environmental documentaries (CED)

Focus on environmental problems and human action as their cause

Nature films: implicit, hidden ideology of visual aesthetic pleasure

CED: more or less explicit social criticism Degree and target of criticism changes Globalization; humankind; industrialization;

urbanization; capitalist corporations Visual DISpleasure; disturbing images of harm Global climate change is key issue

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Darwins’ Nightmare (2005)

Devastating impact of Nile perch to Lake Victoria in Africa from 1960s

Predatory fish kills other species Social issues: poverty of fishermen AIDS and prostitution Guns from Europe for civil war External predatory fish symbolic of external

predatory global powers

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Golden age of documentaries CED genre grows because of limited mass

media exposure of env issues The End of Suburbia (2006) Car-based consumer culture in suburbs

unsustainable American Dream based on cheap oil, high

consumption and suburban living will collapse Fuel (2008) Many faces of oil dependence Positive: Ways out to green living

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An Inconvenient Truth (2006) Antecedent: Too Hot to Handle (2006) HBO

documentary An Inconvenient Truth (2006) Gore’s impressive lectures Science data + visual representation (melting

glaciers; future rising sea level) Sympathetic personal portrait: responsible policy

maker Personal stories: childhood; loss of sister to

smoking-related lung cancer (in tobacco-producing family)

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An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

End of movie: showing small ways of individual consumer action and collective political action

Huge audiences and agenda setting impact Promoted by activist groups Academy Award and Nobel Peace Prize

(2007)

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The 11th Hour (2007) Leonard DiCaprio: overview of the Earth’

several crises Threats to the survival of human species Footage from 50 environmental experts Depletion of ocean resources, deforestation,

desertification, fossil fuel overuse, epidemics Convergence of crises Criticism of divided political class 1970s Republicans Democrats worked

together on environmental legislation14


Earth 2100 (2009)

Oil dependence -- 2015 We are the frogs -- 2040 Population explosion -- 2060 -- 2070 – After the flood – 2084 Vision for 2100

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nature films vs. critical environmental documentaries

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