A Story of Resilience in an Age of Destruction

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MOVIE REVIEW
Only on Earth
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director(s): Robin Petré
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: The environmental documentary landscape has dire warnings and staggering statistics. However, sometimes, a film immerses its viewers in the depths of the horror that the planet is suffering. ONLY ON EARTH does exactly that, transporting viewers to the fire-scorched terrain of southern Galicia, where nature and tradition are at a crossroads. Instead of an impersonal lecture on climate change, it crafts an intimate and stunning journey, pulling us into the daily lives of people and animals navigating an increasingly hostile world. With its deeply personal approach, breathtaking cinematography, and quietly urgent message, this film refuses to be ignored.

By anchoring the story in the experiences of those closest to the crisis, the film sidesteps the usual pitfalls of talking-head documentaries. It doesn’t rely on a narrator to tell us what’s at stake; we see it firsthand through those who live it. San, a firefighter specializing in forest fire analysis, is a key voice, offering insight into how these natural disasters have escalated beyond control. Once predictable, wildfires have become a year-round threat fueled by rising temperatures and the disappearance of traditional safeguards. Cristina, a farmer who doubles as a firefighter, presents another side of the crisis, revealing how those who have lived off the land for generations now find themselves battling to save it. She embodies the push and pull between tradition and an uncertain future, where old ways of working the land prove insufficient against modern threats.

At the heart of the documentary is the wild horse population of Galicia, known as bestas. These animals have been an essential if often overlooked, part of the region’s ecosystem for centuries. Their grazing naturally controls the spread of flammable vegetation, reducing the risk of large-scale wildfires. But their numbers are dwindling, and their absence is felt in ways that stretch beyond cultural loss. The film makes it painfully clear that removing one piece of an ecosystem can have catastrophic consequences, no matter how small it seems. Without these natural “firefighters,” the land becomes a tinderbox, waiting for the inevitable spark.

This interplay between human ‘progress’ and environmental decline is captured in a beautiful and unsettling way. One striking visual is the towering wind turbines scattered across the landscape—symbols of a future meant to combat climate change. Yet, here, they stand against a backdrop of destruction. The contrast is jarring and thought-provoking, raising questions about the complexities of environmental solutions. The film acknowledges that progress is necessary but forces us to consider the unintended costs. Being from the US, I can’t help but compare this to the fires that devastated a large portion of Los Angeles recently and the incoming presidential administration with no solution in mind, instead acting like the state is just holding back water instead of using it against the fires.

The camera lingers on the details—the rough texture of a horse’s coat, the embers floating through the air, the shifting shadows of the mountains. Long, sweeping shots of the Galician wilderness clarify why this place is worth protecting, while stark, close-up imagery of devastation makes it impossible to ignore what’s at risk. The film’s visual storytelling speaks louder than any narration ever could.

The documentary also explores the controversial "Rapa das Bestas," an annual event where wild horses are rounded up for health checks and grooming. Once a necessary part of animal management, this tradition intersects conservation and modern ethical concerns. The film doesn’t force a stance but presents multiple perspectives and allows the audience to decide where they stand. This level of nuance is one of the film’s greatest strengths—it doesn’t just state a problem but lays out the layers of history, necessity, and shifting moral viewpoints that shape it.

Can nature and progress coexist? What happens when modern pressures disrupt a culture built on environmental harmony? And are we willing to recognize that losing even a single species or tradition can have ripple effects far beyond what we anticipate?

The film is a powerful testament to ecosystems' fragility, communities' resilience, and the uncomfortable realities of a rapidly changing world. More than just a documentary, it’s a visual and emotional journey that leaves its mark long after the final frame. Its striking imagery, personal storytelling, and an underlying urgency that never feels forced remind us that our choices today will shape tomorrow's landscapes. Whether through the lens of fire, tradition, or the dwindling presence of wild horses, the message is clear: nothing is permanent unless we fight to keep it that way.

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[photo courtesy of HANSEN & PEDERSEN FILM OG FJERNSYN, POLAR STAR FILMS]

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