We Are As Gods

We Are As Gods is an enticing, thought-provoking, and thoroughly engrossing documentary film released in 2021. The film centers around the life of legendary Stewart Brand, a person whose ideas and initiatives have changed the world. It’s a cinematic journey that delves into the complex dichotomies that define him and explores his visionary ideas that continually push the boundaries of what's possible.

Stewart Brand, a renowned environmentalist, technologist, and futurist, is the main subject of this film. He is a man who has consistently been at the forefront of living, absorbing, and catalyzing some of the most revolutionary moments in modern history. From creating the iconic Whole Earth Catalog while at the heart of the 60s counterculture, launching the first online community even before the internet was fully developed to his ongoing work in contributing to the discourse surrounding ecological restoration and de-extinction – We Are As Gods thoroughly excavates Brand’s life and work.

The film is a candid exploration of Brand’s life, manifesting his humaneness with all the contradictions that form a part of it. One such contradiction revolves around his unique blend of environmentalism and techno-optimalism. While he first earned fame as an environmentalist by helping launch the 'Earthrise' photo from the Apollo 8 mission into the public domain- an image that played a crucial role in kick-starting the global environmental movement, he also stands as a testament to the fact that traditional boundaries between left and right politics cannot contain innovative solutions to preserve our planet.

The supporting cast brings an added depth to the film with engaging performances from Mike Brand and George Church. Mike Brand, Stewart's brother as well as a prominent climatologist, offers a poignant blend of familial insight and scientific knowledge. On the other hand, George Church, a geneticist and unorthodox thinker like Stewart Brand himself, brings to the table ideas that challenge conventional wisdom. Both support and balance the bigger narrative and contribute to the exploration of the many layers of Stewart Brand's life.

We Are As Gods has a lot to say about technology and how it intersects with the natural world. It introduces the viewer to the concept of 'deextinction', a cause held dear by Brand. He believes that by leveraging genetic engineering it might be feasible to bring back extinct species like the woolly mammoth.

The film goes beyond merely presenting technical or environmental aspects and delves into the very soul of the man who continues to dwell within the epicenter of major societal shifts. It achieves this by skillfully weaving a rich tapestry of personal anecdotes, interviews, original footage, and immersive visuals.

Directors David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg excel in their storytelling, presenting an intricately woven narrative that allows a deeper understanding and appreciation of Stewart Brand’s philosophies and work. They pose challenging questions about the role of science in conservation and the lengths humanity should go to rectify past mistakes while preventing future ones.

Being neither a straightforward celebration nor a repudiation of Brand's accomplishments, the film is instead an exploration of a man's complex relationship with the world he seeks to change. Wide-ranging yet intimate, it proffers no easy answers but leaves the audience with powerful questions to ponder long after the credits roll.

We Are As Gods serves as a testament of the vast potential of audacious thinking and unfettered imagination. It opens up a dialogue on science and technology's role in the quest to make the world a better, more sustainable place. Throughout its duration, We Are As Gods is a stirring, mesmerizing watch, perfect for anyone interested in environmental issues, technology, the future, and the never-ending pursuit of ideas that can change the world.

In the end, it’s an immersive voyage into the life of an extraordinary man who has spent over fifty years — and indeed, his entire life — exploring the evolution of the cultural, technological, and environmental strands that tie humanity together. A true celebration of Stewart Brand’s life and legacy, We Are As Gods is a cinematic and intellectual journey not-to-be-missed!