Rise of the Eco-Warriors (2014)

Just perfect...

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This documentary has a very long and slow beginning and took a fair bit to get into the documentary but the overall quality of this film is great. It's heart warming and very educational. It really makes you think about how little people care about forests and it's inhabitance. The story of these 15 young people in the jungles of Borneo for 100 days is very inspiring and interesting. First watching this I did not think it would be a topic i'd get into but later finishing it opened my mind up. The documentary makes the audience want to speak up and do something about the global challenges we face. I recommend anyone looking to become educated on the topic or those interested in global challenges to watch this documentary.

Wow! I thought I knew most of what was happening around the world in terms of the conservation of our environment, the sustainability of our resources and how best to preserve and regenerate our natural treasures for future generations to enjoy.Consequently, I was pretty confident that I was doing as much as I could to assist the efforts of others in my own little world. I might have been on the right track but I definitely didn't know everything. In fact I didn't even know half the story.The Rise of the Eco-Warriors taught me, through the reactions, thought processes, and the caring nature and actions of the Eco-Warriors along with the guidance of Dr Willie Smits, what the reality actually was.As I watched the story of the forest peoples and orangutans of Borneo unfold, I was transfixed on what was shown on the screen. Literally.At first I was a curious bystander. It felt like I was on a tourist trip with a guide that was explaining what we were seeing. However as the movie progressed the reality of what I was seeing suddenly struck home as being real and not fiction. It was stark. It was shocking. It was more than tragic. It was devastating.I went through a range of emotions, such as shock, disbelief, anger, desperation, and also helplessness for the situation unfolding minute-by-minute and day-to-day on the screen in front of me. The tears I shed while watching this movie were real and I vowed right then and there to educate my family members and friends about what was happening in Borneo, and encourage them to see the movie themselves.Dr Willie Smits should be applauded and recognized for his magnificent vision as well as the brilliant work he is doing in Borneo. Without his determination, there would not have been any Eco-Warriors to share in his passion, or to help where help is needed in the villages of Borneo, or to educate communities across the world.The fact that this movie has made it to cinemas across the globe is a testament to the dedication of Dr Smits and the Eco-Warriors, as well as the work they have done and the work they are still doing. It is still very much a work in progress.Perhaps the biggest revelation I had was that I, along with most of the viewers in the cinema with me, come home each night to a comfortable dwelling that has water on tap, food chilling in the fridge and more food languishing in the pantry. We have little to worry about except for lifestyle bills that we accrue in search of our dream home/dream lifestyle/comfortable car/next holiday. We, the viewers, have no idea what it is like to live like the Eco-warriors lived for 100 days.Considering what they went through and the situation they were faced with on arrival, I believe the Eco-warriors to be among the bravest young people walking on the earth today. To be able to not only stand up for what you believe in but to then also campaign among your community for the privilege to be an Eco-warrior is huge. To actually take up the challenge after you have been selected to be in the first and final group of Eco-warriors, is outstanding. I believe that each one of the Eco-warriors worked to the best of their abilities in the conditions they were in. I doubt there are many who would rise to the challenges and tough conditions in the same selfless manner and with the same passion that the Eco-warriors in the film displayed.My first thought when I left the cinema (apart from anger at what I see as a huge deception on the part of food manufacturers) was to check the contents of my pantry, fridge and freezer. Why? I urge you to go and see the movie and hopefully, you will realize how important reading packaged food labels really is.Conserving, preserving, and sustaining our environment has always been at the fore of my personal beliefs. When I was much younger I auditioned for and was chosen to be one of the cast members for the Australian ABC-TV Earth Watch children's program in 1980. I believe this show to have been well ahead of it's time but sadly, it went largely unappreciated in 1980.When I learned about the Rise of the Eco-Warriors through Ben Dessen's passion and determination, I was very encouraged by the efforts of Dr Willie Smits and those of every one of the Eco-warriors.This movie is about the determination of one very dedicated mentor and his passionate group of young Eco-warriors. Their fervour for justice has led to many positive actions that have delivered hope to many.Congratulations to Dr Willie Smits, Cathy Henkel, the Eco-warriors and to the entire production team and staff.A magnificent movie that I have seen twice and would not mind seeing again :)

If you haven't realised I am very passionate about the issue of Palm Oil and how the unsustainable practices in Malayasia and Indonesia are killing Orangutans and ruining villagers lives, then I must assume you are new to my blog. If you are equally as passionate about protecting this species from extinction then you must check out a great new documentary called Rise of the Eco-Warriors, directed by acclaimed award winning Australian director, Cathy Henkel.Faced with the challenge of spending one hundred days in the jungles of Borneo, Rise of the Eco-Warriors tells the real life story of fifteen young people from nine countries who undertake the mission to explore and implement solutions to the rampant deforestation which is destroying local Dayak communities, driving endangered Orangutans and other wildlife to extinction and contributing to climate change.Against all odds this dynamic group succeed in building an Orangutan rehabilitation centre, introduce a satellite monitoring system called Earthwatchers, start a reforestation nursery and build a global support network. Their efforts are put to the test when the bulldozers move in and threaten the future of a community living in a traditional longhouse. Supporting the documentary, the filmmakers have implemented an education program to inspire other young people in Australia around the world. Through DeforestACTION they have engaged over 1,900 schools and 60,000 students in multiple countries about the issues facing Borneo and how people can and continue to do more work to highlight the situation.The film made me feel so many emotions. I was angry, I cried, I was inspired and it reinforced my resolve to continue putting pressure on companies using unsustainable palm oil in their products and educating others as to how they too can make a difference.Special screenings are being held around Australian cinemas and a DVD is soon to be released. To find out more and to view the trailer visit www.ecowarriorsrise.com

I have nothing good to say about this film. If you want to watch a bunch of ignorant kids traipse around the bush in Borneo, windging about about how hard life is while simultaneously overstating and over hyping up their impact and ability then this is the film for you. It took everything I had not to leave the theatre when I saw this film. I remained for each painful minute in hopes that at any point these kids would actually take some real action. Needless to say – the film never delivered and dragged on forever. This film loses a vital chance to truly explore and examine the realities surrounding palm oil plantations in Borneo. Instead of discussing the gravity of orang-utan displacement, the rate of deforestation, or exploring local resistance in depth the film chooses to take a real world/big brother reality type approach to a bunch of kids who are totally oblivious about how to make any substantial change. I am not sure these kids actually did anything other than boost their egos, take credit for local/already existing initiatives, or overplay their importance. I think the villages they visited would have been better off if all the people partaking cashed in their pay checks and just handed over the money to the community. I feel completely misled by the title of the film 'Rise of the Eco-Warriors" which suggests that the characters may at some point do something eco-warrior-esque. I was utterly offended that the only time the term eco-warrior was relevant was during the many occasions that the cast chose to proclaim themselves eco-warriors and even came up with a hip gang sign for all the kids to use. It is hard to believe the way in which this film attempts to define activism and direct action. To all the real activists out there please do not waste your money on this film. The film would have been better if it chose to impassion it's audience to take a stand by hitting us with solid and strong evidence, more facts, and some intense footage of the actual reality in Borneo. At no point do we witness anyone filming the actual destruction of a forest even though time and time again we are reminded that it is going on. The audience is exposed only to a few orang-utans who have been displaced - but most of them are from homes where people had them as pets. At no point do the film makers get into the heart of the forest and truly expose the raw and dramatic reality. Perhaps this is due to the budgetary issues of the film - but to me it just comes off as lazy and easy camera work. The film could have easily used the cast as a back story to the major issues and highlighted their projects as small solutions to the major problems instead of making them the centre of the film.