A real wake-up call

Prof. Dr. Sascha Dickel Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Institut für Soziologie

The film does a great job explaining the scientific community’s take on the anthropocene, and also gives the viewer a strong sense of the need for individual action

Yifei Li Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, New York University Shanghai

Each scientist and university should have this movie in their library as a reference for the role of human activities on Earth…The message of the film is clear. Humanity is rising as a new global force of environmental change…

Prof Paola Tarolli, University of Padova, Anthropocene journal

Refreshingly, the film is more of a discussion rather than a presentation of a dogma…Would fit well into a secondary study of geology, history or evolutionary science.

Green Teacher

One of the 10 best documentaries to help raise environmental awareness about planet Earth.

Rory Arnold, editor Earth.Com

Keeps us suspended…Very realistic…Thrilling direction.

7th Room, Milan Design Film Festival

We had a great turn-out and a very strong response from our audience to the film, Anthropocene and its panel guests.

Edith Doron, Carnegie Nexus, Pittsburgh USA

This compelling film is bound to fuel discussions in the classroom…Editor’s Choice.

Mary Jane Davis, Red Bank Catholic High School, Science Books and Films USA

Refreshingly, the film is more of a discussion rather than a presentation of a dogma…Would fit well into a secondary study of geology, history or evolutionary science.

Green Teacher

TA well-made overview of a complex subject, this is strong material for students of many scientific disciplines, as well as classes on ethics and philosophy.”

C.A. Fehmel, School Library Journal USA

Anthropocene is a stark depiction of the crass consequences of the choices we have made, as a global society, and the options that await our choice making in the near term future…At its heart, this abridged film unflinchingly makes the case for the looming emergence of homo auctor–a responsible human race. Here’s hoping we are able to become humans as benign components of the ecosphere, rather than as a pestilential infestation.”

Ashwani Vasishth, Associate Professor of Sustainability Planning, Director, Center for Sustainability, Ramapo College of New Jersey USA

The film was interesting in the way it laid out the concepts of the Anthropocene… panel was excellent… Well Done – great conversation!… Thought provoking and depressing (perhaps)… Excellent panel discussion… Great guests, great intro and the film was very interesting; this is a very forward thinking program… I am a professor at Point Park university researching literature and the Anthropocene… [tonight] was very informative and engaging; we have to be able to communicate with each other even as we pursue our valuable areas of specialization.”

Reaction to Pittsburgh Film Festival event sent by Carnegie Mellon Museum

The room was packed—very big audience, very engaged in the film… folks really enjoyed it. Extremely creative way to get the messages across.

Prof William F. Laurence, James Cook University, Queensland Australia – Director Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science

I suspect this is far and away the best combination of authoritative statements, diverse opinions, contrasted future scenarios, arresting and hugely varied imagery and evocative sounds, all focused on the Anthropocene, that is currently available. I fear I have not really managed to do it justice in my brief synopsis. It should appeal to anyone with an interest in the future of humanity ; it needs to be force fed to all who believe that ‘business as usual’, driven by the growth obsession of the current neo-liberal, global hegemony is the answer to future welfare and long term survival.

Frank Oldfield, The Anthropocene Review

Wisdom, wit, and charm… the first feature film about the Anthropocene… the story is enhanced by great photos and video clips – https://meaningfulmovies.org/events/anthropocene/

Meaningful Movies Project review, Seattle.

In his film, director Steve Bradshaw looks into humankind’s global effects and hence raises the awareness for careful, considered future actions… from a deeply thought-provoking perspective… and stunning pictures… with good humor but without watering down the seriousness of the subject… Anthropocene is definitely fertile ground for discussions concerning the next chapter of the history of human habitation of Earth. Through award-winning stills and insightful interviews, it provides an informative and thought-provoking view on the Anthropocene but leaves viewers to decide where the future will leads. The more people watch this film and join the global discussion, the more progress we will be able to make, and the more hope we will have.

Sibylle Zavala – HNet – Humanities and Social Sciences Online.

I’m just writing to thank you for coming out to Columbus to show your terrific and thought-provoking movie.

Prof Christopher Otter, Dept of History, Ohio State University.

Highly recommended… persuasive, interesting, and easy to watch…. lush, artfully produced…There are no deadly talking heads. The movie makes its argument up front and then provides different points of view using beautiful visual illustrations … It is nice to be able to say that Anthropocene is so well made that anyone having an interest in science or in the art of making a persuasive argument will enjoy watching it.

James Gordon,  University at Buffalo Libraries, Educational Media Reviews Online. 

“Communicating the idea that the Anthropocene is both the period of greatest danger and a historical opportunity to right our relationship to the planet and to one another isn’t easy in an age of ever sharper ideological divisions and politics performed in 140 characters. Nevertheless, such communication is something Steven Bradshaw’s newly released documentary ANTHROPOCENE does brilliantly – introducing viewers to the idea in a way that retains its complexity while at the same time conveying the concept in the visceral way only a well done film can accomplish… the ultimate message of Bradshaw’s documentary neither surrenders to the dystopian spirit of the times, nor does  it counsel stoic resignation to our self-destruction. The message I took from the film was much more nuanced: we have spent the last few centuries transforming a nature we believed separate from us only to learn that this distinction was like a child playing pretend. If we can mature quickly enough we can foster a world good for both ourselves and the rest of life. But should we fail to grow up in time the earth will shrug free from our weight, and the life that remains will continue into the deep future without us.”

Rick Searle Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies | From the blog utopiaordystopia.com.

“Pop science documentary about how humanity is changing the world around us through pollution, agriculture, urban sprawl, etc. Almost always interesting, and not as gloomy in its long-term outlook as you might expect.”

Elendil’s Heir on straightdope.com.

“This is an excellent film with beautiful pictures and authentic interviews. Thanks to the film makers for a tremendous job and compelling introduction to the Anthropocene.”

Professor Paul J. Crutzen, Atmospheric chemist, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry.

With the help of fossil fuels, we humans have changed the world as profoundly as a great force of nature–but our actions are mostly leaving a wake of destruction…This gripping film is a balanced portrayal of the issues at stake. It is entertaining, clear, and chilling.

Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute, Author,Afterburn: Society Beyond Fossil Fuels.

” Are we living in a new epoch? While many think we are still in the Holocene period of the geologic timescale, a growing number of scientists are now proposing that we are in fact living in the Anthropocene. For those unfamiliar with the lingo of geology, this concept means human activity is the driving force of our Earth’s ecosystems; what we do has altered our landscape and influenced changes within our soil, deep into the rock strata. It’s believed to have begun nearly 6,000 years ago when agriculture shifted due to a vast expansion in human population. Popularized by Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen, the term is hotly debated within the scientific community. Opponents cite a lack of clear evidence, while proponents stress its importance in changing our attitudes about how we affect the environment. This incredibly engaging documentary lays out the vision of the Anthropocene through the eyes of stratigraphers in the field. Its beautiful and stylish cinematography is just as poignant as its crucial message. ANTHROPOCENE makes geology accessible, educating and captivating viewers with a fascinatingly unique approach. “ 

E.F. – Cleveland International Film Festival previewer.

“This eye-opening documentary examines how humans have impacted the earth and what we and future generations can do to help reverse the negatives.”  Cleveland International Film Festival Artistic Director Bill Guentzler choosing Anthropocene as one of his top 10 entries out of 193 feature films.

“Must-see Eco-doc at One of the Best Film Festivals in America”

Stefanie Spear EcoWatch.

“We live in the anthropocene era. And here is the film that tells you what it means for humanity to live in a world that we totally dominate. Humanity is going through an epochal transition to a new reality, where the planet is shaped by our own presence more than by nature itself. On the other hand, we are less in agreement about whether this is a tragedy, comedy, or something more surreal. But what does it mean to exist in a geological era, which we totally dominate: the Anthropocene era? And does man have a future? ‘Anthropocene’ is the first film that deals with an all-pervasive paradigm shift and with a term, that in no time has gained ground as the name of our times. An international community of scientists give us their take on the Anthropocene revolution’s global consequences in a way that will make anyone who is used to counting the time in hours and minutes feel dizzy. But which also very specifically and based on vast amounts of data – and well-chosen black-humour clips from the 20th century’s inexhaustible dustbin of popular culture – sees today’s ecological and climatic changes from a new and deeply thought-provoking perspective.”

CPHDOX Copenhagen previewers.

“Anthropocene is a deeply fascinating guided tour from the big bang to the present day. It is a journey through the history of our world, the evolution of the term ‘Anthropocene’, and the dilemmas we now face knowing the immense power we have to change the face and composition of the entire planet. An international community of scientists give us their take on the Anthropocene, showing us today’s ecological and climatic changes from a new and deeply thought-provoking perspective. What will we do now that we know we are the new weather-makers?”

Melbourne Transitions Film Festival previewers 2016.

“Anthropocene is perfect for those with an environmental, historical, or scientific background. The topic is accessible to everyone, however, as it charts the carbon footprint of mankind, back to the early indigenous peoples of Australia and Africa, all the way through to the Industrial Revolution and the World Wars. The Working Group explains how even the smallest developments, such as controlled burning, has left a mark. Using interviews, original footage, and some beautiful cinematography, this documentary is a good all-round insight into the science of climate change and its relationship with societal progress, explained in terms of technological advances, political maneuverings, and scientific breakthroughs.”

Christieanna Ozorio for Right Now (human rights) website choosing Anthropocene as one of their Top Six Picks for the Melbourne Transitions Festival.

The wisdom, wit, and charm captured from members of Anthropocene Working Group are a perfect match to the stunning photography and video clips…Students will find much useful information on how human endeavors have combined with rising population and energy consumption to see humans become one of the great geological forces in the modern era. I highly recommend this film, both to university students and professionals who are working to understand global environmental change, and to the general public who desire a scientific perspective of the human footprint on our planet

J.P.M. Syvitski, Executive Director, Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System, Professor of Geological Science, University of Colorado.

One problem in grasping the full impact of the Anthropocene lies in understanding what has transpired before. This film is useful in helping students deal with the problem of shifting baselines and helping them to not only understand how we got here, but more importantly, where we may be headed.

Mark Farmer, Professor and Director of the Division of Biological Sciences, University of Georgia.

Is it meaningful to say that we are in Anthropocene? This film interviews members of the working group charged with answering this question, organizing their thoughts on key issues into ten short chapters, all interspersed with Anthropocene-related images and clips. Sure to generate discussion.

Hugh Gorman, Professor of Environmental History and Policy, Chair of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Author, The Story of N: A Social History of the Nitrogen Cycle and the Challenge of Sustainability.

Anthropocene does full justice to its topic, which is intensely interdisciplinary and morally complex. The experts it presents reflect a range of approaches and attitudes toward the idea that human activity has moved the Earth out of the Holocene into a new and unprecedented period in its history. The diversity of their views on the key questions the Anthropocene confronts us with, and their expression of both the thrill and the terror it inspires, allows viewers to draw their own conclusions on how to think and feel about the human-made future.

Dr. Zev Trachtenberg, Department of Philosophy, University of Oklahoma.

Anthropocene seeks to answer questions in a moving and thought provoking way through narrative of the issues and in-depth interviews with leading experts. This format provides scholars and students with an excellent platform for discussions regarding the nature of human impacts on the Earth’s ecosystems.

Dr. Victor D. Thompson, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Director of Center for Archaeological Sciences, University of Georgia.

In assembling many of the key perspectives on the Anthropocene in one place for the first time, this film provides a valuable opportunity to assess the term’s coherence, contradictions, connections with earlier chapters in environmental activism, and ideological investments in the future. Students everywhere should watch and critically discuss the various assertions and interpretations offered by the film’s eminent contributors.

Michael Ziser, Associate Professor of English.