5 Films for Earth Day
Today we’re celebrating Earth Day – an annual event dedicated to environmental protection. First started in 1970, this environmental movement annually mobilises over 1 billion people from over 190 countries towards undertaking positive action for our planet. We are spotlighting five shorts from our Official Selection that confront the climate crisis head-on. From polluted oceans to nature as a healer, these films explore our fragile – and vital – connection to the planet.
Bud
Claire Y Norowzian
People are not taking the health benefits of nature seriously enough and so one houseplant is taking matters into his own hands… or leaves? This film was made for the nature-based mental health charity, Mindfood. It is a humorous and charming tale about connecting with nature, and how it can help with our wellbeing.
The Beauty
Pascal Schelbli
This masterful animation journeys through our polluted oceans, which are at once stunning and filthy. As the film dives into the deep blue sea, viewers will meet an imaginative, yet unsettling, cast of characters – from discarded bottles that morph into whales, to huge schools of plastic bags and bubblewrap pufferfish.
Wrapped
Roman Kaelin, Falko Paeper & Florian Wittmann
This visually stunning short film shows the power of nature as it reclaims an urban landscape. The film uses both time-lapse and CGI techniques in order to depict a bustling city that is being slowly, but surely, overtaken by nature. Wrapped is a powerful and sobering meditation on transformation, resilience and life cycles.
Stillness Arises
Benjamin Dowie
Shot in France over one week, Stillness Arises provides an insight into the mind of French adventurer and filmmaker, Mathieu Le Lay, and his connection with the wild, specifically the French Alps. As the film navigates from the mountains to the ocean, it communicates the profound effect of being at one with the outdoors.
How Do You Sleep?
Bonnie Su Choreography
What use is money, if we have no planet? This dance film is inspired by the devastating bushfires that took place in Australia during 2020. As similar events unfold the world over, it explores the ramifications of climate change in a capitalist society. It asks us to think about what will happen to the next generation if we don’t act now.
Earth Day is an annual event held on 22 April. Find out more.
Stream these independent shorts and more in the Aesthetica Film Library.
