Everyday Activist - Planetary (MLJFF 2015)

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 07:00 PM

Planetary

Movie Review by Everyday Activist X CalgaryMovies.com

I was spoiled at the NUTV free screening of Planetary as well with free popcorn, juice, candy and a door prize. Had I not promised my friend I would be there, I would have left, especially since I had my door prize at this point. The first twenty minutes were boring and overall the message was pretty depressing. Talking to people about the state of the planet never seems to yield good news. Luckily the screening at the Calgary Public Library will be free, though no guarantees on the other perks.

Unlike other environmental films which want viewers to take action by becoming aware of issues that affect them and their environment, this one wanted the audience to ponder about the role it plays in the overall state of the planet. I’m all about holistic belief systems and agree that if we change how we see the planet and ourselves we will shift our values. This doesn’t come from listening to experts or looking at beautiful pictures. The shift comes from understanding hidden truths. Now that you know how your actions affect your environment will you continue along the same path or change? Meditation works, but so does actively taking a stand for what we believe.

That’s the problem with Planetary. It’s too wishy washy feel good, which might be why the audience rating was so much better than the critics. Yay I can watch this movie, meditate and not do anything. The world will be a much better place now that I have thought about my place in it. Twenty people have repeated the same message over and over again, so it must be true. Definitely not my favorite approach. Yes, we are all interconnected. When you take small, actionable steps (not mentioned in the movie), the world can change.

If you would like to see it, Planetary will be screened Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 at 7:00 pm at the Calgary Public Library, John Dutton Theatre as part of the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival.

Calgary Showtimes: Planetary >