How Hollywood Blockbusters & Feature Documentaries Impact Climate Change
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As you know, April is Earth Month. While we take time to celebrate all the amazing things about our planet, this presents an opportunity to recalibrate our personal efforts in saving it. All it takes is the viewing of any one of the films in this month’s Earth Day Showcase to see the challenges we face. And yes, it can be overwhelming.
And how can one person, in a world of 8 billion actually make a difference? For starters, the UN Environment Programme has a short list on its Act Now campaign pages.
We certainly believe in the power of social impact entertainment (SIE) to move the needle. Others may wonder if cause cinema really does inspire change. And if so, how do we measure it? Today, we’re going to explore two such projects, a Hollywood blockbuster, and a feature documentary. Thanks to insights provided by the State of SIE, these examples demonstrate key factors in the impact movie cycle.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
After climatologist Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) is largely ignored by U.N. officials when presenting his environmental concerns, his research proves true when an enormous “superstorm” develops, setting off catastrophic natural disasters throughout the world. Trying to get to his son, Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal), who is trapped in New York with his friend Laura (Emmy Rossum) and others, Jack and his crew must travel by foot from Philadelphia, braving the elements, to get to Sam before it’s too late.
The movie grossed over 185 million domestically and over 550 million worldwide (according to Box Office Mojo). And as industry and impact analysts noted, seeing the movie was the most critical factor in inspiring change. Studies demonstrate that the film contributed to a change in public opinion.
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Several case studies were done on the movie and its effect on audiences, including, The International Impact of The Day After Tomorrow, by Fritz Reusswig (Yale) and a report in the State of SIE (Skoll Center for Social Impact Entertainment) by Anthony Leiserowitz
“Roland Emmerich’s blockbuster put climate change on the map, but did it change the beliefs and behaviors of moviegoers? Yes, and at scale.”
Anthony Leiserowitz.
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You can see the movie with a Disney+ subscription or on most avod and tvod platforms.
Before the Flood (2016)
If you could know the truth about the threat of climate change — would you want to know? Before the Flood, presented by National Geographic, features Leonardo DiCaprio on a journey as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, traveling to five continents and the Arctic to witness climate change firsthand. He goes on expeditions with scientists uncovering the reality of climate change and meets with political leaders fighting against inaction. He also discovers a calculated disinformation campaign orchestrated by powerful special interests working to confuse the public about the urgency of the growing climate crisis. With unprecedented access to thought leaders around the world, DiCaprio searches for hope in a rising tide of catastrophic news.
Again, this campaign was driven by distribution, and getting the film in front of as many people as possible. The story presents the dramatic changes taking place around the world, and the actions we can take to prevent the disruption of life on our planet.
Producers Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio wrote a terrific piece for the SIE report referenced above, and you can see some of their results below.
“A lot of people say that when you’re making social impact entertainment, you have to start with the issue you’re trying to change. That is only part of the equation. I believe that first and foremost, in order for your film to have the most impact it must be a film that people will want to watch…Let the characters reveal the change you’re trying to drive through their personal discoveries. Let the story unfold and dictate how you will strategize your impact.”
Fisher Stevens, Producer, Before the Flood
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You can visit their website to learn more about the movie, from the crisis to the solutions, as well as get more background on the experts and the music. Get the Discussion Guide here. Watch the movie on Disney+ or other avod and tvod platforms.
There are other examples of Hollywood Blockbusters with eco themes, including Avatar, that leverage stories to keep these ideas top of mind. Even more documentaries. And thankfully, companies like Doc Society and the SIE Society continue to present case studies and foster a coalition of impact. Again, 30 are included in our Showcase. Let’s keep making, watching, and sharing these stories. We can make a difference.