A lot more happened in 2021 than you likely know. How could you? It’s a big world.
Directed by Greg Jacobs and Jon Siskel, The Here Now Project take a look at the year 2021 from an environmental perspective. Having compiled incredible footage shot by everyday people from all walks of life, the film chronicles the state of our climate reality and calls for us to band together in unity.
In Here Now, Jacobs and Siskel wade through thousands of hours of footage in order to present a collage of ecological disasters from around the globe. Yet, what’s most interesting about the film is that it’s far more of a mood than expositional exercise. There is not lecture on climate change nor and facts and figures to memorize. This is simply footage that speaks loudly.
In short, this isn’t An Inconvenient Truth… it’s simply truth that’s inconvenient.
By piecing together footage without commentary, Here Now simply shows the incredible devastation of climate change as it wreaks havoc upon our world. Structuring itself month-by-month, the film serves as a reminder of the sheer amount of natural calamities over the course of a single year. Although our world is connected globally, at times, it’s easy for us to focus entirely on our own problems.
And, held in juxtaposition, the destructive reality of climate change is overwhelming.
However, at the same time, Here Now also seems to carry with it a sense of hope. Despite the tremendous odds against us, the film’s structure does seem to remind the viewer that humanity is connected. We are meant to feel like the issues faced by others around the world are our problems as well. Forest fires, tsunamis and earthquakes are signs of global catastrophe that affect everyone and Here Now wants us to work together, not only to fight climate change but also to support one another in crisis.
The Here Now Project is playing at HotDocs ’24. For more information, click here.
