"Years of Living Dangerously"

      In class, we watched a Showtime documentary entitled "Years of Living Dangerously" which is essentially a commentary on the causes and effects of global warming. The film stars Harrison Ford, Don Cheadle, and journalist Thomas Friedman as they each explore separate storylines related to climate change. These storylines include the devastating effects of deforestation in Indonesia, a drought in Texas that has crippled the local economy, and the revolution in Syria,in which a drought was a major contributing factor to the outbreak of civil war. The film is presented much like a Hollywood film, using dynamic lighting, theatrical cinematography, and dramatic music to set a certain mood, all the while trying to present information relevant to global warming.
      Before watching this film in class, I had never heard of the "Years of Living Dangerously" series, but I found it to be particularly interesting simply due to the nature of the film. While I resent the fact that the filmmakers had to use celebrities and well-known public figures in order to generate interest on an issue of such universal importance, I do believe that this tactic has its practical benefits. As I was watching the film, I noticed at one point that I had forgotten that I was watching a documentary, let alone that I was still in class. I was thoroughly entertained, and whether or not the events portrayed in the film were staged and/or scripted, the important thing to remember is that people will watch it because they want to. Like any other entertaining film, the audience will come away from the viewing experience with an understanding and appreciation for the stories and ideas presented; only in this case, the stories and ideas presented are socially relevant and attempt to raise awareness for an extremely meaningful issue.