Austria 2018
Opening July 4, 2019

Directed by: Nikolaus Geyrhalter
Writing credits: Nikolaus Geyrhalter
Principal actors: Documentary

Mankind moves about 156 million tons of earth on a daily basis which is twice as much as that which takes place in nature. That is truly food for thought!  Austrian film director Nikolaus Geyrhalter was determined to prove this hypothesis by showing this in a very direct documentary. He shows how little time it takes for us to destroy the Earth’s crust using giant machinery. He has forced his audience to take off their rose-colored glasses and face the Earth’s shocking dilemma. It begins in California where big muscular men sit in their XXL graders and diggers as they reshape 1000s of acres of land in preparation for yet another suburban neighborhood. These men were interviewed and asked why they were doing this, and their answers were as egotistical as their actions. One man answers, “Well, because we can.” Another says, “Well if we don’t do it someone else will and besides it pays good money.”

Geyrhalter captures this devastation and does it in a very slow and gruelling process, just long enough that is seeps below our skins until we want to scream “Stop! Don’t you see what you are doing?” He then moves onto other continents which makes us aware that it is not only the Americans doing this, but it is a global problem. The film seems long, but in actuality it could probably go on longer so we realize how bad it has become. The film is dismal but very important. Through these interviews we see that a conversation must begin and we need to challenge the short-term greed that is so prevalent and use awareness to stop it before it is too late. (Shelly S.)