Movie spotlight
Earth First! The Politics of Radical Environmentalism
"Earth First! - The Politics of Radical Environmentalism" documents the rise of the controversial eco-activist group, Earth First!, as told by its founders, its admirers and its opponents, including rare interviews with its founders, Dave Foreman, Mike Roselle and Howie Wolke. Earth First! burst onto the environmental scene in the 1980s, engaging not only in civil disobedience to protect America's wilderness from exploitation, but ecotage - the destruction of heavy equipment, roads, and mills involved in deforestation. The movement become heroic to some, infamous to others, by scaling and occupying 200-foot tall old-growth trees to frustrate the plans of timber companies; and for "tree-spiking," hammering iron spikes into standing trees as a threat to the machinery of any mill that dared to process it. Earth First! includes rare footage of ecoteurs engaging in their exploits on camera.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary explores the origins and philosophy of Earth First!, a radical environmental activist group known for its confrontational tactics aimed at protecting wilderness. It delves into their early campaigns, their 'deep ecology' principles, and the controversies surrounding their direct action approach to environmentalism. The film features interviews with key figures and archival footage, providing insight into the motivations and strategies of a movement that challenged mainstream conservation efforts.
Critical Reception
As a documentary from 1987 focusing on a specific activist movement, 'Earth First! The Politics of Radical Environmentalism' received attention within circles interested in environmental activism and political discourse. Its reception was largely defined by its subject matter, with reviews often acknowledging its comprehensive look at a controversial group, while also noting its potential to be seen as either an advocacy piece or an objective examination depending on the viewer's perspective. The film is recognized for its historical documentation of the group's formative years and its ideological underpinnings.
What Reviewers Say
Provides a detailed look into the philosophy and tactics of the Earth First! movement.
Highlights the group's commitment to radical environmental protection and wilderness preservation.
Documents the early history and key figures of a significant environmental activist organization.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific 1987 documentary is not readily available, as it predates widespread online review platforms and is a niche historical documentary.
Fun Fact
The film was produced by Jerry M. Bales, who was also instrumental in documenting other aspects of the environmental movement.
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