Anthropocene: The Human Epoch

Directors Jennifer Baichwal, Edward Burtynsky, Nicholas de Pencier
Year 2018
Run Time 87min
Genre Documentary

In 2016, scientists declared that the Earth has entered a new geological era, one that is entirely the consequence of humanity’s abuse of the planet. This documentary goes around the world illustrating the variety of ways that humanity has affected its environment.

In Kenya, authorities set fire to mounds of elephant tusks to protest the illegal ivory trade, resulting in a devastating display of the impact of poaching. In Russia and Germany, mining operations transform the land into an otherworldly wasteland. The unfathomable scale of the images created by these moments are equal parts beautiful and disturbing.

Following Manufactured Landscapes and Watermark, photographer Edward Burtynsky and filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier conclude their award-winning trilogy with an urgent message to all the citizens of the world to see the consequences of our actions, before it’s too late.

Directors

Jennifer Baichwal

Baichwal is an award-winning director who frequently collaborates with her partner, producer and cinematographer Nicholas de Pencier, on documentaries such as the CSA-winning trilogy Manufactured Landscapes, Watermark and Anthropocene (with Edward Burtynsky). Their other credits include The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia, Act of God, and Into the Weeds, among others. She has won 12 awards, including two CSAs.

Nicholas de Pencier

De Pencier is an award-winning documentary cinematographer and producer known for his work with director Jennifer Baichwal. They made the CSA-winning Manufactured Landscapes, Watermark and Anthropocene in collaboration with Edward Burtynsky. Their other documentary credits include The Holier it Gets, Payback, and Long Time Running, which won the DGC award for Excellence in Documentary. De Pencier also directed Black Code, and was cinematographer on The Colour of Ink, for which he won a CSA. 

Writer

Jennifer Baichwal

Cast

Alicia Vikander

Producer

Nicholas de Pencier

Genre

Documentary

Interests

Asian Filmmaker, Environment

Original Language

English