jasmineloriz

The Revolution Generation: How Millennials Can Save America and the World directed by Rebecca and Josh Tickell is a beautiful display of what a generational film should look like. They touch on the history of generations, and how we all don’t stand as alone as we think we do. Each generation falls into an archetype based on a historical cycle that repeats itself about every 80 years. This film specifically takes a deep dive into the background of what shaped the baby boomer and gen x generations, and how the turning that we have come into presents a crisis that millennials are destined to now become the “heroes” for. This film is so beautifully nostalgic in the sense that we are shown a lot of old home videos that highlight the childhood days of these three generations. This is then contrasted to the present we now face, where millennials feel betrayed by their reality of insurmountable student loan debt, stagnant wages with rising inflation, and social issues at every turn. Making this shift is what really shapes and defines this movie and compels the audience to beg the question, how do we cope? The answer is presented through powerful leaders and influential people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Tulsi Gabbard, Shailene Woodley, Corbin Bleu, Chase Iron Eyes, Roza Calderon, Christin “Cici” Battle, and many more. These living examples embody what it means to be a millennial, to be someone who is destined to save the future. This film is deeply reflective and moving, yet inspirational and entertaining in the same breath. It is a wonderful documentary that is sure to invigorate the mind of any audience that watches it.

The vibrant and evocative film 1982 is an in-depth examination of the human condition and resilience of a school in the preliminary hours of bombings in Lebanon by Israeli forces. The writer, director, and producer of this film, Oualid Mouaness, was able to accurately replicate these historical events because they are part of his memories as a school-age child growing up in Lebanon during a time of war. Being created from a place of truth is one of the strongest attributes of this movie. Because Lebanon is Oualid’s home, and these were events that he went through, he is able to insert himself and his emotions a lot more freely into the movie. He also exemplifies excellence as a director working with children, because the acting from Mohamad Dalli and Gia Madi, who play Wissam and Joanna respectively, as well as from the rest of the cast of students is superior. I was truly convinced by their displays of emotion and felt immersed in the classroom myself. 1982 was able to compel me emotionally in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. I am in love with this movie and will watch it many times over!

I can say that under the direction of Rebecca and Josh Tickell, Kiss the Ground is a truly moving cinematic experience. After watching this film, I felt a rejuvenated sense of power over our earth’s dire climate crisis for the first time in years. The repeated message from Woody Harrelson, “the solution is right under our feet,” is not only catchy, but wholesome and optimistic. One scene that really had me getting emotional was seeing the change that actress Patricia Arquette helped create. After all the natural disasters that hit Haiti, the water under the soil was becoming contaminated. This is not a problem that is exclusive to Haiti, but according to the documentary, 2.5 billion people around the world don’t have sanitation. She taught communities in Haiti and Uganda how to create compostable toilets. This humanitarian act dually helps the planet and reduces disease in these communities. The healing nature of this documentary, towards our planet and our people, was what made this film worth the watch for me. I highly recommend watching this film and experiencing that feeling for yourself.