With filmmaker Damon Gameau’s previous film, That Sugar Movie, he examined the evils of a modern high sugar diet and its negative effects on our society. With his new work, 2040, he takes a decidedly different and entirely more optimistic view on some of the ills that plague our current civilisation. He also makes some very wise film making choices along the way.
In stark contest to works like An Inconvenient Truth, which really only highlighted the dangers of Global Warming, Gameau offers solutions to the problems. In a wide spectrum of topics, he provides ideas that range from grass roots actions to the implantation of emerging technologies to help turn things around.
As a filmmaker he also uses some clever choices to give brevity to what are some very serious subject matters. His use of comments by young children transforms the film by adding optimism, humour and imagination. Its effect makes the proceedings much easier to be entertained by while still making salient points.
The film doesn’t guilt you or fill you with despair but provides a road map that would allow you to take small steps with both your awareness and implementation of possible solutions. It also provides a number of surprising facts that provide further incentives for change. It’s an important work but is extremely accessibly and highly entertaining.
Rob Hudson
www.whatsyour2040.com
