Mother: Caring for 7 Billion 2011
Distributed by Tiroir A Films Productions, Denver, CO.
Produced by Christophe Fauchére
Directed by Christophe Fauchére
DVD, color, 55 min.
Jr. High - General Adult
African Studies, American Studies, Environmental Studies, Human Rights, Women's Studies
Date Entered: 10/12/2011
Reviewed by Samantha Quell, University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkMother: Caring for 7 Billion, addresses perhaps the most important, although frequently overlooked, environmental issue—population. In the last fifty years, world population has doubled, causing famine and civil unrest in underdeveloped nations as the strain on resources increases. But the numbers alone are not responsible. For years, the developed world’s only message was “be like us.” This has created a global appetite for the American lifestyle, where consumption is synonymous with development and resources are consumed with little regard for the global impact.
Mother tells the history of the world population crisis by combining statistical analysis with a variety of visual effects and expert interviews with an emotional soundtrack. The film also follows children’s rights activist Beth Osnes to Ethiopia, on her personal quest for knowledge about the impact of population on underdeveloped nations. Osnes investigates how these countries are addressing their population concerns, focusing on the relationship between female empowerment and birth rate.
The film’s only flaw is trying to address all aspects of the population crisis in less than an hour. Some topics are discussed in only a few sentences and never referred to again.
This film is ideal for a classroom setting, where it is guaranteed to spark discussion.
Recommended
Awards
- Winner of Best Colorado Film, Boulder International Film Festival, 2011