The past decade has seen an explosion of documentary filmmaking about the environment and the global footprint of mankind. You could spend months watching all the great films out there, but for starters, here are 10 must-see films for our Green Filmmaking week that won or were nominated for an Academy Award for Documentary Feature:
- Winged Migration (2001): One of the decade's first hit eco-themed documentaries takes a whole new perspective on the migratory patterns of birds across the world, showing how all of our continents are tied together in one fragile system.
- Darwin's Nightmare (2004): The introduction of a new predatory fish into the waters of Tanzania has far-reaching consequences in this harrowing look at the balance between nature and man.
- March of the Penguins (2005): The difficult yearly journey of Emperor penguins became a worldwide sensation with the release of this documentary, which shed new light on the delicate ecosystem of Antarctica. Here's a look at the film's memorable Oscar win for Documentary Feature, complete with a few extra tuxedo-clad guests.
- An Inconvenient Truth (2006): Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim and former Vice-President Al Gore caused a major stir with this eye-opening look at global warming. In this video from the Academy's Oscar's Docs, Part Six event, producer Lesley Chilcott talks about the impact of the film.
- Encounters at the End of the World (2007): Renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog explores the stunning beauty of Antarctica and reveals endangered sights never captured on camera before.
- Food, Inc. (2008): A lot of moviegoers took a second look at their hamburgers after watching this in-depth look at our modern, mass market food industry.
- The Cove (2009): The slaughter of dolphins in Japan forms the basis of this look at how a hunting practice can have an adverse effect on both a local population and the world at large. Check out this video of the film's win for Documentary Feature.
- Gasland (2010): The energy company practice known as "fracking" became a national topic of discussion after the release of this look at its impact on Pennsylvania residents. Here's a video of director Josh Fox and producer Trish Adlesic on the making of the film from the Academy's Docs! program in 2011.
- Waste Land (2010): The transformation of man's production of garbage into groundbreaking artwork forms the basis of this look at modern creativity and resourcefulness. In this video from the Academy's Docs! program in 2011, director Lucy Walker and producer Angus Aynsley discuss how the film came about.
- If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (2011): The limits of activism and environmental action are tested in this inside look at the controversial Earth Liberation Front. Here's a video of directors Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman discussing the amazing true-life story behind the film with host Michael Moore.
What's your favorite movie about the environment?
