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Mountains are being removed, entire landscapes are turned over, deserts are flooded.
Humans are changing and dominating the earth to such an extent that the "Anthropocene Working Group", an interdisciplinary conglomerate of around 35 scientists, which has existed since 2009, is propagating the beginning of a new geological age - the Anthropocene, the age in which humans were to everything becomes the determining factor of global environmental change.
Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky have been documenting the exploitation and destruction of the earth for several years.
After "Manufactured Landscapes" in 2006 and "Watermark" in 2013, the documentary "The Epoch of Man" closes the trilogy.
Edward Burtynsky, director
"In many ways we tried not to make a polemical film. The film should rather be a meditation on how we, as a human species, are changing the planet and how technology is swallowing us up in this transformation. We don't just want to address those who no longer have to be convinced. We would like to increase the range and take people on a journey to the places shown. By the way, we are interested in being perceived more rebellious than accusatory. The topic is complex and people have to respond Serving nature to lead the life we lead in all its urbanity and mobility, or to build the airplanes we get in. All of this involves the use of technology and resources and the need to procure them from nature . These are complex interrelationships. And let's not kid ourselves: We can't just stop there. But we can try to be more sustainable and think more about what we're doing. "
The film does not spare its audience - whether with scenes from the largest garbage dump in the world or the burning of several tons of ivory from illegally killed elephants and rhinos.
According to Edward Burtynsky, many of these places have one problem in common:
Edward Burtynsky, director
“
It's very simple: if human rights are not respected and there is no justice for people, where will companies dump their rubbish? They will do it in the places where they expect the least resistance. And these are mostly poorer people Areas in which people do not have the opportunity to defend themselves and organize. And from there, environmental protection and human rights begin to influence and mix one another. "
The comments by environmentalist and actor Hannes Jaenicke, who can be heard in the German version, are used sparingly.
The film rather relies on an interplay of a spherical soundtrack and impressive images and drone recordings.
From a distance, the patterns and colors created through exploitation and destruction develop a beauty of great ambivalence.
In long camera flights, the horror of the details is transformed into a remote and abstract aesthetic that is fascinating.
This blurs the line between art and activism.
That is intentional, and yet there is a clear message, if not stated in the film:
Edward Burtynsky, director
"Time is not on our side. We hope this film shows that the time for discussion is over and that we have to act now. We don't say that explicitly, but in my opinion there is a feeling of fear, which this film also does." A feeling that lets people feel that something has to happen. We have to act now. Very soon, or even better - now. "
By changing the name of the epoch from the Holocene, which has lasted for around 12,000 years, to the Anthropocene, scientists and the directing trio of this film want to create awareness that humans are responsible for global change and the problems associated with it.
This film provides clues that can be seen with the naked eye.
The entry into the Anthropocene should show us that humans themselves are at the core of the problem, and help ensure that this age does not become the last of these species.
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