I have been at York for a little over four years and never, knew about the hidden cubby-hole, known as the Sound and Moving Library, tucked away in the corner of Scott Library. This discovery was made, thanks to Professor Bazely. After going there on my own, in search for a film to nominate for the film festival, my experience was that the library is intricately organized, but there is a willing staff eager to help and it is essentially very resourceful tool.
AND THE RUNNER UP IS….
FernGully: The Last Rainforest was discovered at The Sound and Moving Library and was a close contender when deciding on a film to present to the York University community that would highlight themes of plant ecology and important topics discussed in class. I strongly contemplated this film although it is a children’s animation movie. I thought it would be a fun way to educate others on environmental and ecological problems. However, I had to essential go with the film “The man Who Planted Trees” because in my opinion it is a lot better, as it is able to hold the audience’s action and connect with them on an emotional level.
However, this film still deserves an honorable mention. This 1992 animated fantasy film that depicts a rainforest inhabited by magical fairies who believe that the humans have gone extinct. But when a logging company begins to cut down the trees in the rainforest, it releases an evil spirt named Hexxus who feeds off the pollution and destruction that comes with deforestation. The main fairy, Crysta and her friends, play the hero, to try and stop the destructive works of human beings to save the rainforest and their homes.
Although this film is amazing, I think the message and importance of the ecological issues presented in the film could have gotten lost in the background noise, of the magic, romance, friendship, etc that is also presented in the film. However, one important theme discussed in the film is biodiversity loss in plants and the effects of deforestation and pollution on vegetation and species that inhabit these areas, specifically in Rainforest. I think the writers did a good job playing with the idea that cutting down trees, pollution, and deforestation, can result in the release of an evil spirit, who can destroy everything. This message can be translated into the notion that the effects of vegetation loss can negatively impact the environment and the inhabitants that live on the planet. This film can target almost all audiences, young old, and allow a full understanding of the environmental issues presented; allowing people to act. This film was released in collaboration with Earth Day, it was displayed during the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. “Distributed internationally by 20th Century Fox and dubbed in at least 10 languages, it was an economic success by the standards of independent animation, grossing over US$65 million dollars” (Starosielski, 2011). Therefore, with the international attention and distribution of the film it is able to reach a vast audience and with hope can allow people to understand some important environmental and ecological issues affecting our world, to hopefully allow people to educate themselves on these issues and take action.
References
Starosielski, Nicole. “‘Movements That Are Drawn’: A History of Environmental Animation from The Lorax to FernGully to Avatar.” International Communication Gazette 73.1-2 (2011): 145–163.
URL Link
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 