In this documentary, high school students hailing from Lyceé Tristan Corbiere in Morlaix, France and Frankston High School in Frankston, Australia converse with each other through letters, detailing what life is like where they live and expressing uncertainty about humanity's future due to the effects of climate change. Fueled by their government officials taking little to no action, both groups of students reach out to their communities to gauge how their lives are being changed by the phenomenon. Through recounting the experiences expressed in their letters, students from different parts of the globe take away new lessons and friendships.
As the letters narrated in the film are from the point of view of high schoolers, the film succeeds in being relatable to other high school students. Since climate change is a widespread issue, the film's highlighting how it affects us also serves as a relatable element. The film frequently alternates between the French and Australian students' perspectives in a sequential order, establishing a pace that is easy for the audience to follow.
The camera work of the film is effective in conveying specific moods to the audience. At its extreme, serene scenery of waterways on one end and catastrophic close-ups of floods on another, the film visually portrays the idea that even the most unsuspecting places can be devastated by climate change. The film is centered around the topic of climate change, with the students experiencing its effects firsthand through the constant flooding, coastal erosion, and global warming in their homelands. As the film progresses and branches out to the experiences of others, it becomes clear that these disasters are not limited to Morlaix and Frankston. For instance, in Ile Molene, France, residents face widespread drought and rising sea levels, as well as the possibility of the island itself being submerged in the centuries to come. Given how often this topic is overlooked by many, despite its urgency, the extensive focus placed on it makes the audience far more aware of its impact. My favorite part of the film is when one of the Australian students recalls a legend belonging to the Bunurong, Aboriginal people who first inhabited the Frankston area, in response to a French student who asks if their homeland has tales of submerged cities. What stands out to me are the visuals that accompany it, with its painted aesthetic complementing the mythological nature of the story.
The film's message is to stand up for what you believe in.
I give Contrary Currents 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Christian C., KIDS FIRST!
In this documentary, high school students hailing from Lyceé Tristan Corbiere in Morlaix, France and Frankston High School in Frankston, Australia converse with each other through letters, detailing what life is like where they live and expressing uncertainty about humanity's future due to the effects of climate change. Fueled by their government officials taking little to no action, both groups of students reach out to their communities to gauge how their lives are being changed by the phenomenon. Through recounting the experiences expressed in their letters, students from different parts of the globe take away new lessons and friendships.
As the letters narrated in the film are from the point of view of high schoolers, the film succeeds in being relatable to other high school students. Since climate change is a widespread issue, the film's highlighting how it affects us also serves as a relatable element. The film frequently alternates between the French and Australian students' perspectives in a sequential order, establishing a pace that is easy for the audience to follow.
The camera work of the film is effective in conveying specific moods to the audience. At its extreme, serene scenery of waterways on one end and catastrophic close-ups of floods on another, the film visually portrays the idea that even the most unsuspecting places can be devastated by climate change. The film is centered around the topic of climate change, with the students experiencing its effects firsthand through the constant flooding, coastal erosion, and global warming in their homelands. As the film progresses and branches out to the experiences of others, it becomes clear that these disasters are not limited to Morlaix and Frankston. For instance, in Ile Molene, France, residents face widespread drought and rising sea levels, as well as the possibility of the island itself being submerged in the centuries to come. Given how often this topic is overlooked by many, despite its urgency, the extensive focus placed on it makes the audience far more aware of its impact. My favorite part of the film is when one of the Australian students recalls a legend belonging to the Bunurong, Aboriginal people who first inhabited the Frankston area, in response to a French student who asks if their homeland has tales of submerged cities. What stands out to me are the visuals that accompany it, with its painted aesthetic complementing the mythological nature of the story.
The film's message is to stand up for what you believe in.
I give Contrary Currents 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Christian C., KIDS FIRST!
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