Anote's Ark

Anote's Ark is a gripping 2018 documentary that shines the spotlight on the real and disastrous impact of climate change as it explores the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati. Directed by Matthieu Rytz, this captivating, heart-wrenching yet beautiful film features significant individuals from Kiribati including the Former President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, Tiemeri 'Sermary' Tiare, and Ato Raatati Garstang. The movie brilliantly underscores the desperation, urgency and resilience of a nation on the brink of collapse due to devastating environmental change.

Anote's Ark does not just present climate change as a remote scientific theory, but as a palpable, existential threat to the people of Kiribati, a group of more than 30 atolls and reef islands. Home to over 100,000 inhabitants, the archipelago is a victim of rising sea levels that threaten to submerge the entire island nation, rendering it uninhabitable. The documentary brings to the forefront the eminent human rights issues raised by global climate change, highlighting the urgency behind topics such as community displacement, sovereignty and cultural heritage preservation.

At the forefront of the documentary is Anote Tong, who was President of Kiribati between 2003 and 2016. Anote is a tireless advocate for his nation and the broader issue of climate justice, endeavoring to turn the international community's attention towards the plight of his tiny country. Not only does the film give us the insight into the dichotomy between Anote’s interactions on an international platform and his people back home, but it also takes us on a profound emotional journey of Anote, reflecting his frustration and anguish as he valiantly contests global superpowers to take notice of the looming disaster.

In juxtaposition to Anote's high-profile campaign, viewers are also introduced to the personal stories of ordinary Kiribatis. Sermary Tiare and Ato Raatati Garstang show us what it feels like to call such a vulnerable place home in the face of certain danger. Their narratives represent the heartbreaking reality of having to abandon one's homeland, culture, and identity due to factors entirely out of their control.

Anote’s Ark is a skillful web of vivid images of Kiribati – both beautiful and harrowing – with cinematography that helps viewers understand the true devastation of the situation. Footage of island scenery and oceanic splendor gradually transforms into evidence of ecological despair with eroded coastlines, flooded villages, and displaced communities. These images of Kiribati's struggle starkly contrast with the footage of Anote’s international tours to affluent nations and inside the grand halls of the United Nations.

The documentary is artistically sound as it weaves powerful interviews, documentary shots, and picturesque drone footage to convey the story in a complete and impactful way. The stark and unequal competition between the natural beauty, cultural richness of the island and the inevitable environmental devastation becomes painfully clear.

The personal stories and the prominent narrative from Anote provide a stirring dichotomy that echoes throughout the film. It is a tale of climate change that goes beyond politics and science into social justice and human rights domain. It heightens the feeling of impending doom, the urgency of the problem, and resentment towards the global community's insufficient action against climate change.

More than just a depiction of climate change's catastrophic effects, Anote's Ark is a call to action. It is an urgent and moving plea for global citizens and world leaders alike to uphold the duty to protect earth's most vulnerable people. It propels the viewers to reconsider and acknowledge their role in fighting climate change while pushing the global community to recognize climate displacement as a critical issue.

Ultimately, Anote's Ark is a compelling treaty into a remote corner of our planet where the catastrophic implications of climate change have already begun to unravel. The inspiring, heart-wrenching, and ultimately sobering documentary delivers an intense socio-political narrative that is impossible to disregard, making it both a powerful awareness tool and a masterful filmmaking achievement in the realm of environmental and social documentary cinema. It draws a powerful portrait of the profound human costs of climate change while warning of the existential threat that many more communities may face if transformative actions are not taken.