If you don't have 93 spare minutes to watch this film, make the time

Posted on 6 February 2011 by John Cook

I'm coming a bit late to this party but I just learned of an extraordinary film Home by Yann Arthus-Bertrand (h/t to Daniel Bailey). Yann Arthus-Bertrand is famous for his aerial photography and this film features a dazzling series of aerial shots of the Earth. Each shot is a piece of art. Stringing it together is a compelling story narrated by Glenn Close. It speaks of the Earth's beauty and the balance of nature's ecosystems. It documents how humans have disrupted the balance and our unsustainable trajectory. But like any good climate message, it ends with hopeful and positive actions already occuring.

The film is a non-profit venture - you can watch the entire movie for free on YouTube (it looks and sounds fantastic on an iPad with headphones). It's a must-watch movie, one of the most significant and powerful environmental films I've seen. Watch it and then tell everyone you know to see it.

HOME a film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Here are a few screenshots that blew me away on first viewing (I literally could post dozens of such screenshots):

Comments 1 to 7:

villabolo at 13:53 PM on 6 February, 2011
I've made the time. So far it's 15 minutes into the video and it's fantastic.

Thank you John.
Daniel Bailey at 14:14 PM on 6 February, 2011
It was certainly the best 1:33 I've invested in a long time.

Highly recommended.

(Nice screencaps, John!)

The Yooper
Stephen Leahy at 16:07 PM on 6 February, 2011
It is a beautiful and moving film. The photography is like artwork and our planet is incredible and breathtaking.
garythompson at 16:48 PM on 6 February, 2011
wow, that is a great video and thanks for sharing. we humans have been here for only about 0.005% of Earth's existence. the more we learn about carbon based life the more we realize how rare it is. we owe it to ourselves, if not the universe, to be good stewards of this rock we find ourselves fortunate enough to be residents of. we are born of star stuff and when we realize that it took over 13 billion years to get us to this point, it should give all a sense of responsibility to put politics and personal agendas aside so that we as a species can progress.
heystoopid at 20:09 PM on 6 February, 2011
Truly makes one think.

In the same documentary format an 87 minute film was released by Godfrey Reggio in 1982 called "Koyaanisqatsi" or Life out of Balance. This was part of Qatsi Trilogy, with Powaqqatsi(1988) and Naqoyqatsi(2002) these three films depict a relationship between humans, nature and technology.

Here is a section from youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFwR1c-cdFw&feature;=related
david at 22:30 PM on 6 February, 2011
An inspiring documentary, it makes one realise mankind needs to change its' ways particularly the wealthier countries.
Andy S at 15:44 PM on 7 February, 2011
Thanks for the recommending that movie.

I liked the repeated comment towards the end: "It's too late to be a pessimist".

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