Academic Movie Review ; The Age of Stupid

  "With greater light comes greater shadow." This quote seems to embrace the whole situation happening in today's society ; as the development of technology have contributed much to the convenience of our everyday life it is also pushing our civilization forward, hurtling us towards to what seems to be the elimination of the human race. In this academic film review of 'The Age of Stupid.' I would elaborate on two major points; overall opinion about the context of the film, and the analysis on whether the approach of this film was effective or not.

<Overall opinion about the context of the film>

  

  "Stupidity is everywhere you go" I recall hearing this phrase from one of the English teacher who happens to teach us and who is not Mr. Tame :) And as recited in the title of this film, stupidity really seems to be the common factor around the globe. Stupidity is further pronounced in the following example from the film, about the conflicts between the Piers Guy and the protestants of Wind Energy.

  Piers Guy, is a wind-farm developer whose vision is to bring sustainable energy to the English villages. However his project on building a wind farm in Central England faces severe protests from the local neighbors, delaying the project for more than 18 months. If the projects have been progressed as planned 10% of the Energy used in England would have been non-pollution. In Piers desperate attempts to convince the locals, he tries to explain the seriousness of the present situation and that wind farm could serve as one of the many solution to solve this problem. But, his efforts are in vain even after his 6 minute speech appealing about the benefits of wind farm the wind farm policy are outnumbered by at least 10 to 1.

  The protestant act mentioned in this film is called "stop the spin" but, through further research I was able to find many more protestant group against the wind energy act. The stupidity were at its peak during the interview with the locals after the decision; rejecting the construction of the wind farm. In the interview the old lady says that "Of course I care about the global warming!(3:43)" however I found this saying very contradictionary with her action which is mere based on the concept of NIMBY.

(3: 43)

<Analysis on whether the approach of this film was effective>  

  "寸鐵殺人" this means that a very small piece of metal could accomplice a murder, to further elaborate; the right one word could achieve more than hundred unnecessary words. Therefore choosing the effective approach to deliver its message is crucial to films, especially documentary films. There are diverse opinions about whether this film; The Age of Stupid have fulfilled its purpose of production. I strongly believe that this approach introduced in the film have effectively passed on the message to the lookers. 

  A Lot of Sticks And Not Much Carrot. Definitely there isn't much carrot in this film, mainly sticks designed to scare us into action. Some may find this film to be a but insufficiently sophisticated or talks about things that are considered common knowledge, there is even a review that quotes " Sometimes scrappy, some might find sci-fipremise annoying" On the other hand in the time where the movie society is basically flooded with movie which has a very smooth plot and flow of the story, this rather ragged raw documentary might be the solution for a better deliver of message. The passion, urgency and the ragged edges give the lookers a feeling of reality and refreshing as well. In addition there is also the factor of Pathos mode of persuasion. The Age of Stupid is basically is a film in which 6 stories which seems to be separated begins to intertwine as the film elaborates leading up to the conclusive question; Why didn't we save ourselves when we had the chance? And these different stories are the example of Pathos persuasion; by dumping the undeniable truth onto us we are convinced through the sympathy and pity we feel for others.

  

  To put it into a nutshell, where there is benefit there is always a price for it. However the stupidity of the human beings are making the shadows of this technical development more darker. Realizing the urgency of this enlarging problem the director Franny Armstrong creates this film with very raw and ragged edges. Where there is still debates on whether this method is effective or not I strongly argue that this method is effective after all! To rephrase, the stupidity of humans are worsening the present situation and I believe that the director Franny Armstrong way of raising the alarm is effective to save us when we still have the chance now. "Never is too late."