simmygreen

Having hope for the future has never seemed more attainable than now after watching the recent documentary, Revolution Generation: How Millennials Can Save America and the World. Directors Josh and Rebecca Tickell utilize their amazing story-telling skills to encourage inspiration in the audience from aspiring activists of all ages but specifically young people. This film resonated with me in a way that few documentaries have been able to in recent years. Current celebrities like Michelle Rodriguez and Shailene Woodly are able to reach a younger audience and use their influence to speak on the issues millennials are now facing in both political and social spaces. For what seems like the first time, the audience is being provided with an explanation for the state of our current political climate without blaming any one generation as we learn about the 80-year cycle of the 4 types of generations. The Tickell's also made sure to highlight specific turning points or causes for the characteristic **** like growing up in war or political turmoil like millennials have. Notably, this film is incredibly accessible with its messaging utilizing visual aspects to accompany the strategic storyline of the film. For me, the most memorable notion I have taken from Revolution Generation is that young people are the leaders and minds of our future and that starts with millennials! Despite all of the misconceptions about Millenials, Revolution Generation provides a fresh and compassionate perspective around these often misunderstood individuals and the hope they provide for our future.

One of the most astounding aspects of the film “1982” has to be the amazing performances of both the adult and child actors and actresses. Oualid Mouaness must be an experienced and welcoming director to get these children to act in a way that is so true to their childlike nature, even in times of war. What is even more interesting is how the problems faced by both children and adults alike seem just as valid if not acting as a mirror to one another. Life doesn’t just stop in war, and people are faced with difficult choices to make. Do you risk your crush not liking you, if you feel like it could save her life? Can you put aside differences for the safety of others in your care? The audience can feel the weight of each decision because Oualid has outdone himself with this film, and I look forward to seeing more of his work.

The film Kiss the Ground is the good news that you needed to hear after falling down the rabbit hole of content surrounding climate change. Directors Josh and Rebecca Tickell deliberately included a wide range of information and perspectives in less than 90 minutes. Impressively, this documentary is told by the directors with a storytelling tone. They want to educate but not the audience with a documentary full of just scientific facts. Of course, the story must include the trials and tribulations of the past to explain how desertification, industrialism, and war have all played a role in climate change. After the harsh truths are over, the film moves effortlessly into the innovative and successful methods being implemented to combat the issue. As an audience, we get to witness a real-life happy ending for everyday people trying to make a difference. From San Diego, California, and Kansas to Paris and Zimbabwe, Kiss the Ground covers more than just the disheartening facts regarding climate change. If you aren’t an environmental activist now, you may become surprisingly moved after seeing this film.