Film & TV

Film Review: Wild Things

Director Sally Ingleton explores the people that make up the environmental protest movement in Australia

Veteran documentarian Sally Ingleton’s latest documentary, Wild Things, chronicles a year on the front-lines of the climate movement in Australia. In addition to documenting the actions of three groups of inspirational environmental activists in the present day-the school kids striking for climate justice; activists fighting to halt construction of Adani’s Carmichael coal mine in Queensland; and activists fighting to save Tasmania’s Tarkine rainforest-the film also delves into past campaigns, including the Franklin River campaign and the Jabiluka blockade, to celebrate Australia’s rich and profoundly important history of direct, non-violent activism.

Ingleton busts the myth of the “dole-bludging hippie” stereotype, depicting the activists in her film as just ordinary people who are simply refusing to allow our beautiful planet be destroyed and are willing to put themselves in harms way to do so. The footage throughout the documentary is fantastic, with the most gripping footage depicting activists being threatened by a truck driver who was enraged by the inconvenience their protest is causing him, or activists being confronted by police.

A beautifully made and stirring documentary that will hopefully inspire audiences to join the movement and fight for our planet.

Wild Things opens February 4th

Reviewed by Jordan Ellis

A CELEBRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM 4 stars

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