The City Dark

The City Dark is an intriguing and thought-provoking documentary released in 2011. Created by Ian Cheney, who also serves as the film's narrator, this documentary provides a unique and captivating perspective on a seemingly ordinary aspect of everyday life in modern societies: artificial light. Cheney’s thoughtful exploration poses powerful questions and raises significant issues about humanity's relationship with the night sky and the wider Universe, as well as the impact of our digitally illuminated world on human health, wildlife and stargazing.

The documentary is an exploration of light pollution, defined as excessive artificial light. The film opens with Cheney, a self-professed “amateur astronomer”, moving to New York City from rural Maine and noticing the stark contrast between the two places' night skies. He embarks on a journey to understand the implications of this reality, that countless people around the world are disconnected from the stars due to the over-illumination of our cities.

With its unique narrative structure, The City Dark seeks to uncover the mysteries of the night and highlights the value of darkness, which is being steadily eradicated by the constant glare of city lights. The so-called 'City Dark' is not merely a singular place, but rather, a collective representation of urban spaces around the world that have lost their view of the cosmos due to light pollution.

Throughout his journey, Cheney interviews a range of individuals including experts in astronomy, ecology, health, and neuroscience, as well as light designers and astronauts. These individuals provide a balanced and multi-dimensional perspective on the issue, allowing audiences to grasp the full extent of the problem. They speak of the effects of light pollution on everything from bird migration patterns to human circadian rhythms to the simple loss of our ability to ponder the vast universe that lies just beyond our reach.

Cheney's passion for stargazing and his nostalgia for clear, star-filled Maine skies is genuinely conveyed through his narrative, dramatically illustrating the ever-increasing estrangement of our species from the starry canopy of night. The documentary highlights scientific facts alongside personal experiences, creating a memorable mix of information and emotion for its viewers.

The City Dark combines stunning visuals with compelling arguments and a moving narrative to discuss a critical but often overlooked ecological issue. The powerful imagery delivers stark comparisons between the darkness of the countryside and the constant day-like brightness of city environments. Furthermore, the soundtrack, composed by The Fishermen Three & Ben Fries, provides an emotive backdrop that complements the gravity of the information being presented.

The documentary also pull trips to cosmopolitan places around the world to understand the true scale of the light pollution problem. Cheney does this by drawing comparisons between New York City, the "city that never sleeps," and lesser-known locales plagued by the same issue. For example, one of the most impactful sections in the film is when Cheney visits the Sudbury Valley in Toronto, which houses one of the world's most advanced observatories. Here, due to severe light pollution, astronomers have to solely rely on space telescopes for their work.

Cheney also captures the loss of the inspiring and humbling experience that a simple act like stargazing affords humanity. In its exploration, The City Dark underscores the psychological impact of our disassociation with nature, an insight that forms a powerful core to the film. It subtly points to the broader conversations about preservation, nature, and the growing alienation of individuals from the environment.

The film invites us to consider our relationship with the natural world, provoking a much-needed conversation about how our way of life affects and is affected by the cosmos. Overall, The City Dark is a documentary that implores viewers to stop and consider the magnitude and beauty of the universe that we, perhaps, take for granted.

While acknowledging the undeniable benefits of electricity and artificial lighting, the film makes a compelling case for more conscientious lighting practices. It paints a stark picture of the danger, the loss, and the impact of unchecked light pollution, not just on our skies but arguably our connection to the universe and our shared humanity.

In essence, The City Dark is more than a documentary about light pollution; it's a reflection on our place in the cosmos and the forgotten value of darkness. It is a sincere appeal for a harmonious balance between our needs and the right of future generations to experience the beauty and mystery of a clear, star-filled night sky.