With the advent of eco-friendly clothing lines, food, materials and concerts, it was inevitable green would permeate cinema.
"Now really the whole culture is moving toward being environmentally conscious," said Ben Tutolo, president of Penn State Eco-Action.
Those who seem instrumental in this process are actors. Everyone from Mel Gibson and Leonardo DiCaprio to Robert Redford and Ed Begley Jr. are getting in on the action by producing, directing, funding and/or appearing in environmental action films and documentaries.
"They definitely got way more publicity than if scientists were commentators," Tutolo (junior-environmental system engineering) said.
Celebrity involvement only helps so much, said John Stevenson, president of the Penn State Environmental Society.
Tutolo also said actors need to understand the limitations of their involvement. The publicity of actors is only short-term and then these films seem to fall off the radar, Stevenson (junior-community environment and development) added.
"It doesn't improve the film by any means," he said.
These documentaries are a few that have emerged as a result of a renewed awareness in aiding the planet. Some are scathing while others are touching, covering everything from animal rights and global warming to alternative green ways of living.
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Writer/Director: Chris Paine
Was it the government? Was it the auto industry? Was it Colonel Mustard in the observatory with the candlestick?
This Clue-like documentary makes the case that many were responsible for the electric car's demise.
The specific electric car in question is the EV 1, created by General Motors before the California Air Resource board passed the Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) mandate requiring automakers in the California market to increase the amount of ZEVs in the marketplace.
The EV 1 was commercially released in 1996, but shortly after, fell off the radar.
After being blocked and hindered on both sides of the spectrum, the EV 1 was not only discontinued, but GM took back the cars it already leased, not allowing owners to purchase the cars. The cars were then ritualistically destroyed one by one.
This documentary shows not only the conniving ways of larger corporations to kill the electric car, but the failures of those involved in its conception.
The documentary even has prominent actors (Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Ed Begley Jr.) who were not allowed to keep their cars and the difficulty it took to get them in the first place.
This scathing documentary shows the unprecedented annihilation of what could have been a new and promising hope for the future and the planet.
Go Further
Filmmaker: Ron Mann
This hippy-dippy documentary would make even the most environmentally apathetic person want to do yoga and eat chocolate avocado pies.
The Ken Kesey-inspired documentary follows Woody Harrelson and some of his friends on a bio-fueled bus journey along the Pacific Coastline.
Harrelson intends to teach people along the way through speeches and events (and lots of bike riding, of course) that there is a better way to live that is not only less destructive to the planet, but easy to attain.
Though I find this a little laughable (who besides Harrelson would be able to take a tour bus with a yoga instructor and raw food expert?), it does provide easy alternatives to everyday things. Things such as hemp paper and healthful eating tips are displayed in the film.
If anything, proof this lifestyle works is evident through friend and fellow traveler Steve Clark. A connoisseur of all things unhealthy (junk food, smoking etc.), Clark feels amazing after spending time on the journey. If anything, this film serves as both an educational experience and an inspirational one.
Wall-E
Director: Andrew Stanton
Though this is not a documentary film, it is an important film for environment lovers.
This film would be good to take children to so they can learn about what is happening to the environment and what could happen in the future . However, adults can take away a lot from the film as well.
Wall-E is one of the first animated, kid-geared films to utilize the subject matter of climate change. Its innovative and original concepts make this film a must-see.
An Inconvenient Truth
Director: Davis Guggenheim
No eco-film list can be complete without this documentary.
Former Vice President Al Gore travels around the country in his quest to educate people about the prophetic implications of climate change.
Though some may find this movie slightly hypocritical, it does introduce new ideas about climate change and what it really means.
Also Gore's wit keeps viewers interested especially during some monotonous moments. This movie would serve well for beginners who want to learn the basics of climate change.
