Microplastic Madness
Ajyal Competition - Ajyal Film Festival 2020
Atsuko Quirk, Debby Lee Cohen / Feature Documentary / United States of America / 2019 / 76 min / Colour / In English / MENA Premiere
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.
Synopsis
Fifth graders from Brooklyn, USA—a community on the frontline of the climate crisis as it was severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy—spend two years investigating the existential threat of plastic pollution. Taking on the roles of citizen scientists, community leaders, and advocates, these go-getting 10-11-year-olds collect local data, lead community outreach, and use their impressive data to inform policy by testifying at City Hall. They take the deep dive into the root causes of plastic pollution, bridging the connection between plastic, climate change, and environmental justice before turning their focus back to school. There they battle to rid their cafeteria of all single-use plastic, driving forward a city-wide and scalable, youth-led plastic-free movement.
Making its MENA premiere, ‘Microplastic Madness’ is an inspirational and optimistic look at the local and global plastic pollution crisis as told through a refreshing urban youth point of view with an emphatic “take action” message. With stop-motion animation, heartfelt commentary from young people, and interviews of experts and renowned scientists who are engaged in the most cutting edge research on the harmful effects of microplastics—this alarming, yet charming documentary, conveys an urgent message in relatable terms with an inspiring and motivating message to spark youth-led plastic-free action in schools around the world.
Credits
- Director
- Atsuko Quirk, Debby Lee Cohen
- Producer
- Atsuko Quirk, Debby Lee Cohen
- Editor
- Atsuko Quirk
- Cinematographer
- Atsuko Quirk
- Production Company
- Cafeteria Culture
- Other
- Animation Director: Debby Lee Cohen