This article contains promotional content. (July 2023) |
How to Change the World is a 2015 documentary film directed and written by Jerry Rothwell (Deep Water). It documents how the founding members of Greenpeace created the green movement.
| How to Change the World | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jerry Rothwell |
| Written by | Jerry Rothwell |
| Produced by | Al Morrow Bous de Jong |
| Starring | Robert Hunter |
| Narrated by | Barry Pepper |
| Cinematography | Ben Lichty |
| Edited by | James Scott |
| Music by | Lesley Barber |
| Distributed by | Picturehouse Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 112 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom Canada |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
editIn 1971, a small group of activists sailed from Vancouver, Canada in a fishing boat to try to stop Richard Nixon's nuclear bomb tests in Amchitka, Alaska. Their actions caught the attention of the public and this eventually led to a worldwide green movement and pioneered the foundation of Greenpeace.[1]
The film centers on activist Robert Hunter and his part in the creation of Greenpeace, which is structured by the five rules of engagement from Hunter's writings.
Cast
edit- Barry Pepper as the voice of Bob Hunter, serving as narrator
- Bill Darnel
- David Garrick
- Bobbi Hunter
- Emily Hunter
- Will Jackson
- George Korotva
- Myron McDonald
- Rod Marining
- Patrick Moore
- Ron Precious
- Paul Spong
- Carlie Truman
- Paul Watson
- Rex Weyler
Release and marketing
editThe documentary first premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, winning the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing and the Candescent Award.[2][3] A first trailer was released on July 30, 2015.[4]
On September 9, 2015, Picturehouse screened the documentary in 120 U.K. and 70 U.S. cinemas, (presented with Fathom Events stateside), followed by a satellite Q&A with Rothwell, fashion designer and Greenpeace supporter Vivienne Westwood and daughter of the first president of Greenpeace, Emily Hunter.[5]
Reception
editThe film received positive reviews. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 86% approval rating, with a rating average of 8/10.
Dennis Harvey praised the film in Variety noting, "The goldmine of
Accolades
editThe film has received various accolades such as those listed below.[9]
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Sundance Film Festival | World Doc Special Jury Award: Editing | Won |
| Candescent Award | Won | ||
| 2015 | Sheffield Documentary Festival | Best Environmental Documentary | Won |
| 2015 | Sebastopol Documentary Festival | Best Feature | Won |
| 2015 | Portland EcoFilm Festival | Best Feature Film | Won |
| 2015 | Hot Docs | Top Ten Audience Favourite | Won |
| 2016 | 4th Canadian Screen Awards | Best Feature Length Documentary | Nominated |
| Best Editing in a Documentary | Won |
References
edit- ^ Gold, Daniel M. (29 October 2015). "Review: 'How to Change the World' Traces the Roots of Greenpeace". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "Sundance Winner's List". Deadline. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "Sundance 2015 Winner's List". The Hollywood Reporter. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ "How to Change the World trailer: Greenpeace's rise examined in new documentary". The Guardian. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Picturehouse Targets U.S. With Documentary 'World'". Variety. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- ^ Dennis, Harvey. "Sundance Film Review: 'How to Change the World'". Variety. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ Taylor, Kate (7 August 2015). "How to Change the World: Compelling doc charts dramatic rise of Greenpeace". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
- ^ Howell, Peter (6 August 2015). "Mini reviews of The Gift, How to Change the World, Diamond Tongues, Cocksure Lads". Toronto Star. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ "HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD". Official Website. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
