Rise of the Eco-Warriors

This documentary has a very long and slow beginning and took a fair bit to get into the documentary but the overall quality of this film is great. It's heart warming and very educational. It really makes you think about how little people care about forests and it's inhabitance. The story of these 15 young people in the jungles of Borneo for 100 days is very inspiring and interesting. First watching this I did not think it would be a topic i'd get into but later finishing it opened my mind up. The documentary makes the audience want to speak up and do something about the global challenges we face. I recommend anyone looking to become educated on the topic or those interested in global challenges to watch this documentary.

If you haven't realised I am very passionate about the issue of Palm Oil and how the unsustainable practices in Malayasia and Indonesia are killing Orangutans and ruining villagers lives, then I must assume you are new to my blog.

If you are equally as passionate about protecting this species from extinction then you must check out a great new documentary called Rise of the Eco-Warriors, directed by acclaimed award winning Australian director, Cathy Henkel.

Faced with the challenge of spending one hundred days in the jungles of Borneo, Rise of the Eco-Warriors tells the real life story of fifteen young people from nine countries who undertake the mission to explore and implement solutions to the rampant deforestation which is destroying local Dayak communities, driving endangered Orangutans and other wildlife to extinction and contributing to climate change.

Against all odds this dynamic group succeed in building an Orangutan rehabilitation centre, introduce a satellite monitoring system called Earthwatchers, start a reforestation nursery and build a global support network.

Their efforts are put to the test when the bulldozers move in and threaten the future of a community living in a traditional longhouse.

Supporting the documentary, the filmmakers have implemented an education program to inspire other young people in Australia around the world.

Through DeforestACTION they have engaged over 1,900 schools and 60,000 students in multiple countries about the issues facing Borneo and how people can and continue to do more work to highlight the situation.

The film made me feel so many emotions. I was angry, I cried, I was inspired and it reinforced my resolve to continue putting pressure on companies using unsustainable palm oil in their products and educating others as to how they too can make a difference.

Special screenings are being held around Australian cinemas and a DVD is soon to be released.

To find out more and to view the trailer visit www.ecowarriorsrise.com

It has been a long time since I've seen a film that has really plucked and strummed on every single one of my heart strings. Having a natural passion myself for nature and wildlife it really hit me hard to see the immense lengths these young men and women went to, to not only begin to make a difference but to inspire and educate all those around them. The entire time I was fighting back tears and becoming a blubbering mess in the middle of the theatre the two times I have seen this film. I've never been left feeling so empowered and so inspired, knowing that every little thing I can do to help WILL eventually make a change. This is the ideal film for men, woman and children of all ages, it's sense of passion, determination, love and teamwork will leave you all feeling amazing! A huge congratulations to everyone involved, producing a truly eye-opening, honest and heartwarming documentary. I highly recommend seeing it!

I think the message that I took away from this film is the old "power of one". We can all sit there and knock "What will the film achieve in is a seemly impossible situation?" But they are at least trying. Young people away from their ps4 not attached to an iphone trying to make a difference. Who knows who this film will inspire and the ripple it could have.I took my kids today to see The Muppet Movie, I know it's will not be mentioned past today's outing. A few weeks ago I took my kids to see Rise of the Eco Warriors and my year 6 boy picked Palm Oil as his impromptu talk subject (he hates talking in the front of the class) and his teacher that afternoon emailed me how well he spoke and passionately he spoke. And we have celebrated a palm oil free Easter . We should have more film like this showing in main stream cinema and stop dumbing down our kids with Spiderman, Captain America and Lego men let's give them some real heroes and role models.

Volunteers flaunt their experiences on social media and portray themselves as 'heroes' who are 'saving' underprivileged villagers. It reinforces stereotypes, images of differences and unequal power relationships between the volunteer and the host community.

The "hero" (called eco-warriors) dance/prance around, lamenting the invisible "foe" (some unidentified palm oil company), without any in-depth knowledge of the issues at hand. The result is a sing-along of spoiled brats that pursue shallow solutions to a very complex issue.

Today, several years later little has changed for the local communities. Despite repeated promises to make a difference from the eco-warriors. ("we'll be watching from the sky")

#EndHumanitarianDouchery