Climate Crisis Through the Camera Eye

Read Time:3 Minute, 48 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Chasing Time
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 39m
Director(s): Jeff Orlowski-Yang, Sarah Keo
Where To Watch: showing at the 2024 Hot Docs Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: CHASING TIME delivers a gripping exploration that captures a decade and a half of profound environmental change and human perseverance, all in just 39 minutes. Directed by Jeff Orlowski-Yang and Sarah Keo, who worked with Orlowski-Yang on the film THE SOCIAL DILEMMA, this documentary combines a mix of stunning and heartbreaking visuals of melting glaciers with deep introspective thoughts on our planet's future and our role within it. With its compelling narrative and dynamic imagery, the film is an urgent call to viewers, urging us to witness and respond to the realities of climate change.

Orlowski-Yang brings his expertise from projects like CHASING ICE and CHASING CORAL to CHASING TIME, creating a narrative that extends beyond simple ecological reports to probe into the resilience of the human spirit amidst environmental degradation. With Keo, whose directorial flair adds a fresh, emotional layer to the documentary, they challenge viewers to consider deeper ecological engagement and personal accountability.

The heart of CHASING TIME is its focus on the transformative power of mentorship and enduring human relationships, paralleled with the transient nature of the natural world and the damages we’ve caused it. It highlights how James Balog's mentorship has shaped Orlowski-Yang's career, and now his mentorship with Keo in filmmaking, mirroring the life cycles of the glaciers they document. This interplay between human connection and environmental change adds a profound layer to the film’s narrative structure.

Keo's influence brings a new dimension to the story of environmental exploration being covered. Her directorial touch encourages viewers to connect more deeply with the film’s message, fostering a sense of urgency and a call to action for climate advocacy. This approach not only diversifies the perspective presented in the documentary but also deepens the emotional resonance of the narrative.

CHASING TIME marks a significant milestone in a series of influential environmental documentaries. Building on the dialogues of its predecessors, it pushes the envelope of visual storytelling. This film continues to educate and engage global audiences and inspires innovative thinking about our interaction with the natural world.

Balog's role transcends that of an environmental photographer; he is shown as a crusader, capturing and disseminating vital changes in our landscapes. His dedication is crucial in broadening public understanding of climate issues and amplifying the documentary’s call to urgent action.

The film culminates in a powerful finale that signifies an ending and a new beginning in environmental storytelling. It sets a new standard for documentaries in this genre, challenging filmmakers to think creatively about their contributions to ecological discourse. My only issue is its shortened runtime. I would have liked to have seen a deeper exploration of some aspects of the film and a peak into the future.

CHASING TIME is a narrative forged at the intersection of human endeavor and ecological urgency. It underscores our fleeting existence against lasting environmental impacts and propels us to act. Orlowski-Yang and Keo, through their collaborative filmmaking, extend a compelling invitation to audiences to move from passive observation to active participation in shaping our environmental future. This film is a clear reminder that observing changes in our world isn't enough—we must be part of the change.

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