Conscientious Protectors: A Story of Rebellion Against Extinction review – Xr and the art of protest
Leigh Bloomfield’s doc on Extinction Rebellion’s 2019 blockade of central London is full of useful details about effective activism
No Tory would admit it, but in terms of projecting Britain on to the global stage Extinction Rebellion, or Xr, has been one of the country’s most successful exports during the Brexit years. It was founded by organic farmer Roger Hallam, environmental campaigner Gail Bradbrook and a core of others in 2018, and among their first major actions was the blockading of four central London sites in April 2019 – a 10-day coup engrossingly chronicled in this documentary by Leigh Bloomfield, which should rightfully double up as a canny handbook on how to conduct civil disobedience.
At one point, a police officer impressively misses the point and reads out an inventory of the economic cost of the Waterloo bridge blockade to an indifferent-looking Xr activist. The organisation was founded on the recognition...
No Tory would admit it, but in terms of projecting Britain on to the global stage Extinction Rebellion, or Xr, has been one of the country’s most successful exports during the Brexit years. It was founded by organic farmer Roger Hallam, environmental campaigner Gail Bradbrook and a core of others in 2018, and among their first major actions was the blockading of four central London sites in April 2019 – a 10-day coup engrossingly chronicled in this documentary by Leigh Bloomfield, which should rightfully double up as a canny handbook on how to conduct civil disobedience.
At one point, a police officer impressively misses the point and reads out an inventory of the economic cost of the Waterloo bridge blockade to an indifferent-looking Xr activist. The organisation was founded on the recognition...
- 7/20/2022
- by Phil Hoad
- The Guardian - Film News
“Joker” star Joaquin Phoenix has linked with environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion and non-profit organization Amazon Watch for a short film sounding the alarm around deforestation and global wildfires.
“Guardians of Life,” which Variety reveals exclusively above, also stars Rosario Dawson, Matthew Modine, Oona Chaplin, Q’orianka Kilcher and musician Albert Hammond Jr of The Strokes – all of whom play a medical team racing to save an unseen patient dying of heart failure on the operating table.
Describing the two-minute film as a call to action, Phoenix said: “I did it to raise awareness about the meat and dairy industry’s effect on climate change. The fact is we are clear cutting and burning rainforests and seeing the negative effects of those actions worldwide.
“People don’t realize there’s still time, but only if we act now and make sweeping changes to our consumption. We can’t wait for governments...
“Guardians of Life,” which Variety reveals exclusively above, also stars Rosario Dawson, Matthew Modine, Oona Chaplin, Q’orianka Kilcher and musician Albert Hammond Jr of The Strokes – all of whom play a medical team racing to save an unseen patient dying of heart failure on the operating table.
Describing the two-minute film as a call to action, Phoenix said: “I did it to raise awareness about the meat and dairy industry’s effect on climate change. The fact is we are clear cutting and burning rainforests and seeing the negative effects of those actions worldwide.
“People don’t realize there’s still time, but only if we act now and make sweeping changes to our consumption. We can’t wait for governments...
- 2/6/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
“Where is your plan” on climate change? That is the question posed by a host of British film, TV, and music stars in “One Lifetime,” a short film from Richard Curtis and Rankin for high-profile environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion.
“The End of the F***ing World” actor Alex Lawther, “Downton Abbey” star Jim Carter, “Harry Potter” actress Imelda Staunton, singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding and director Stephen Frears all appear.
“Four Weddings and a Funeral” filmmaker Curtis developed the concept for the film and iconic British photographer Rankin shot and produced it. Jordan Rossi directed.
The logo of Extinction Rebellion flashes on screen at the start of the film, which splices black and white and color segments and features on-screen graphics underscoring their demands.
British kids exhorting the authorities to tackle a climate emergency open and close the short. One holds a picture of an animal skull bearing the words “Tell the Truth.
“The End of the F***ing World” actor Alex Lawther, “Downton Abbey” star Jim Carter, “Harry Potter” actress Imelda Staunton, singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding and director Stephen Frears all appear.
“Four Weddings and a Funeral” filmmaker Curtis developed the concept for the film and iconic British photographer Rankin shot and produced it. Jordan Rossi directed.
The logo of Extinction Rebellion flashes on screen at the start of the film, which splices black and white and color segments and features on-screen graphics underscoring their demands.
British kids exhorting the authorities to tackle a climate emergency open and close the short. One holds a picture of an animal skull bearing the words “Tell the Truth.
- 11/3/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.