GREENPOINT FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! From Greta Thunberg to the Parkland High School students, there is something especially inspiring when you witness children leading the charge for change. The same can be said for the devoted students of P.S. 15 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, who are at the heart of Microplastic Madness, a film that demonstrates the level of passion and activism that can lead to actual change from younger generations when they are given the right tools, and the right teachers, to help then channel their enthusiasm.
As an oceanic educator, I have seen first-hand how that natural connection to the world of water can affect children, as they are almost instinctually drawn to dolphins, sea turtles, whales, and all the inhabitants in the deep sea. But too often, they are never given that connective bridge that demonstrates no matter how far they live from a body of water, their daily behaviors can have an impact to help these very creatures for which they hold an affinity.
“…children soon learn that they can help their health by sometimes making the smallest of adjustments to their daily lives.”
And even though it is mere steps from several bodies of water, New York City can often feel quite disconnected to the watery world that surrounds it. But thanks to a dedicated group of teachers within their school, the children soon learn that they can help their health by sometimes making the smallest of adjustments to their daily lives.
Microplastics Madness is not only timely, but it bleeds authenticity. From its enthusiastic, bouncy student-led narration to its mixture of documentary footage and animation, it truly feels as though this was made by students, for students.
"…Microplastic Madness is not only timely, but it bleeds authenticity."
