Academy Awards: Green Pictures for 2011

With Hollywood’s biggest night fast-approaching Sunday, it’s time to sneak a peek at which films have an eco-impact.  During last year’s Academy Awards, the Cove‘s dolphin secret was exposed during their Best Documentary win. (During the speech, the filmmakers caused a stir by their activist message.)

Here are the other green-themed movies up for nods on Sunday:

• Gasland – As Clay reviewed, “Gasland not only explores the environmental effects of natural gas extraction and the price the people who live in proximity to extract pay, but it also provides a thorough explanation of the extraction process. For these reasons alone it’s a must watch for any Pennsylvanian.”  Fracking is detrimental to the environment, and it’s happening in your backyard, PA, at the Marcellus Shale.
• Waste land: The world’s largest garbage dump outside Rio de Janeiro, people make art and a living. Vik Muniz discovers what life is like from the “catadores” or recyclables pickers, as they begin to re-imagine their lives:

WASTE LAND Official Trailer from Almega Projects on Vimeo.

• Sun Come Up – The Pacific Islands of Carteret are becoming the first “climate refugees” due to the sea-rise level.  They must move to higher grounds and face many challenges that will spread as many to 250 million worldwide if the global-warming projects hold true.

Sun Come Up Trailer from Sun Come Up on Vimeo.

• Warriors of Quigang is about the citizens of China’s Quigang & their fight to save their village from industrial poisons from a nearby industry.  3 major enterprises with little or no pollution controls poisoned locals with chemicals, pesticides & dyes – turning the river black, killing fish & wildlife, and burned residents’ eye & throats, as well as sickened children.

Readers: What films are you rooting for on Sunday? Did you see any of these documentaries?

Posted by Julie

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher