Netflix & Change - November 2021 Edition
Written by Daryll Williams
Coral bleaching is a stress response of coral to the increase in temperature of the oceans, and a subject that has recently been more widely discussed. From podcasts to TV shows, there are various mediums offering information about the topic. However, like many, we’ve just been introduced to climate change’s severe impact on this ecosystem through a Netflix suggestion.
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November’s Binge: Chasing Coral
“Everything on our planet is connected.”
Run time: 89 minutes
Directed by Jeff Orlowski and produced by Exposure Labs, Chasing Coral is — at its heart — a story about coral bleaching and the significance (and struggles) of communicating such concerns to a broader community.
The documentary reveals a fantasy-like cosmos on our planet. It becomes clear that corals are much more than the colourful backdrop to the world of Finding Nemo. A fundamental member of the reef ecosystem, corals are made up of tiny structures known as polyps. They contain algae –plant-like organisms–which provide food for the corals through photosynthesis. This remarkable partnership, however, is dissolved when the organisms get stressed. As the documentary reveals, a staggering 29% of the corals on the Great Barrier Reef died in 2016. And if unattended, global warming will reduce a bright and vibrant world to nothing more than a ghostly graveyard.
The sustainability factor
Overall: 4/5
Coral beds are some of the most luminous sights you’ll ever lay eyes upon. They’re like flowers, brains, suction cups, tubular orifices; many of them come in sparkly psychedelic colours that look too wild to fit onto a rainbow. But what Chasing Coral does so well is juxtaposing these vivid, resplendent paintings with the same coral beds after they’ve expired: vast stretches of stone-grey fossil, the former tentacles reaching up like dead fingers.
If you’ve been snorkelling, you have probably encountered coral graveyards like these, but only now does it occur to you that you’re not seeing undersea “rock formations” but skeletons.
Corals may have the placidity of plants, but in fact, they’re self-feeding animals. They are — literally — the squishy bedrock of life, so if they’re disappearing from the floor of the earth (which they are), we all have a major problem.
The Viatu review
Themes
In many ways, Chasing Coral is a love letter to the survival of the planet. Like many great documentaries, it structures information into an exciting and adventurous narrative while excavating the impacts of climate change, managing to demonstrate the whole process of coral bleaching. There are also various obstacles encountered in the making of the film. In an interview, Dr John "Charlie" Veron (a coral and reef specialist) says that perseverance and raising awareness is a top priority, especially for the young generation. Even though the film’s imagery spans a handful of locations, such as Lizard Island, the scale of this issue is made very clear. Over 500 people from all over the globe came together to support this cause and report the changes. The final point is that it's not too late, but it is imperative to use all the tools available to make a change.
Production:
A combination of different elements makes for an effective way to draw viewers into the story. The main cast, including Richard Vevers and Zackery Rago, narrates and contributes their thoughts throughout the process. This adds a more personal and sentimental dimension to the whole viewing experience. Watching the corals die day by day is heartbreaking, but you can feel the emotional support among the team through the screen. In addition, the interviews are a significant element of the film as they provide a scientific description of the coral reefs. Finally, the combination of aerial and underwater imagery and microscopic coral photography adds an extra dimension and conveys the intricacy and beauty of this ecosystem. A feast of colours and species reveals a marvellous landscape.
What makes it different:
Chasing Coral is an impactful and thought-provoking watch that concludes on an optimistic note. We find it very inspiring as it conveys a crucial matter for the health of the oceans and underlines the urgency of taking action. We recommend it to everyone who would like to learn more about coral reefs and the continued catastrophic consequences of global warming.
November’s Netflix & Change is all about education. The possibility of restoring coral life through changes in human behaviour is possible. But that must begin with an awareness of the problem.
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