The combined talents at Oxfam and Greenpeace last night brought big names out for the Southern Hemisphere premiere of The Age of Stupid. The house was utterly packed for the premiere. If you have not heard about this movie, you absolutely must go see it.
From director Franny Armstrong (McLibel), and Kiwi Producer Lizzie Gillett, the movie stars Pete Postlethwaite as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking back at news footage and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?
It's an extremely poignant question to ask as New Zealand and other nations ponder what to do about their emissions leading up to the next climate conference taking place in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. So far, the New Zealand government is promising a lackluster 10-20% reduction, putting our nation somewhere on the list with Saudi Arabia and Russia in terms of bullshit commitments. The strong interest in the issue from celebrities and many kiwis affirms the popular sentiment that we can, and should do better as a nation on this emissions target.
The celebrities out en masse at last night's premiere included Sign On ambassadors Lucy Lawless and Keisha Castle-Hughes, as well as Craig Parker, Toni Potter, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Loop's Mikee Tucker, Huffer's Dan Buckley, Oliver Driver, and Outrageous Fortune's Tammy Davis. Acclaimed climate scientist Jim Salinger also made an appearance on the green carpet and seemed to enjoy the celebrity hobnobbing.
The screening was held in a solar powered tent to a full audience of supporters, and also simulcasted with an audience in Sydney.
The Age of Stupid is one part documentary, one part dark comedy, one part animation mixed into an incredibly thought provoking film. If you've been trying to explain complex issues like climate change to your friends and family, this film will likely do some very convincing talking on your behalf.
The Age of Stupid took five years to make. The adventure has been funded by ordinary people from all round the world. 228 individuals and groups - including a hockey team and a women's health centre - invested £450,000 in 2004-2006 via a cunning "crowd-funding" (as showered in praise by Time magazine) scheme.
Keen to go see it? Screenings are across New Zealand:
Auckland: Sylvia Park Cinema - Buy tickets onlinePetone: Lighthouse Cinema - (04) 939 2061
... and then take action:- Contact your Member of Parliament, meet with them, and tell them we need a 40% reduction by 2020!
I work at Waikato University and am keen to get a screening at Hamilton - how do I do that?
Written in September 2009