I imagine the editing process was just as taxing as filming. What were the challenges you faced stitching the final film together?
Yes, in a way, that was almost harder than going to these challenging locations! In the beginning, I had not envisioned a role for myself in the film. I really wanted it to be about my protagonists, my Earth Protectors. When we started editing, we wanted to make sure to convey one of my most important messages: every part of the planet is different. Still, it’s very connected and interconnected, and it’s always the same story, even if the challenges are different from one place to the other. We realized that bringing me to share my experiences and introduce the protagonists was very helpful not only to help connect the stories but also to draw out more empathy and emotion. Sharing those feelings and experiences made everything come together and helped give a strong sense of connection to the film as a whole.
What advice would you give to documentaries who want to create a film similar to yours involving multiple and often challenging locations?
Most of the locations were very remote and quite dangerous to access. I don’t think a normal production company could have organized these types of expeditions just for insurance reasons! One
of the hardest parts was evaluating the risk and taking on responsibility for your crew. It was very helpful that I had already been to most of these places and already knew the communities. And, of
course, the Earth Protectors were fundamental to help us stay safe. So my advice is to know where you are going or have someone you trust or have been vetted to take you there. Also not take anything for granted when you are collaborating with a diverse range of cultures and societies. The crew is fundamental. They need to be very hard-working, adaptable, and mentally and physically prepared. Once you are in these locations, you just cannot waver.
“…every part of the planet is different. Still, it’s very connected and interconnected…”
What action steps do you hope audiences will take as a result of seeing Earth Protectors?
There is so much to say and talk about regarding the climate crisis, and I address some of it in the film. But my main focus with Earth Protectors is to show how all these challenges are actually connected and interconnected. Natural phenomena and climate destruction are not isolated events; they are all interrelated and already have consequences for our societies and our human civilization. People are already losing their culture, traditions, and ways of life because of global warming. When a society starts losing its roots and its cultural references, what happens? What happens when you uproot people who don’t have any references anymore? That’s huge, and it will start happening everywhere. I know the tag sounds harsh, but let me remind you that there is already water scarcity from Barcelona to Mexico City today!
I hope Earth Protectors will make people think about our roots, our cultures, who we are, and where we come from. I think it’s fundamental to have that awareness and grasp those concepts so each and every one of us can, in all different ways, help find solutions to a more livable future. As the film says, everybody can help transform the Anthropocene from negative to positive.
