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Plastic Planet
A gutsy documentary by Werner Boote
As there was the Stone Age, thousands of years later, presently we have become inhabitants of the Plastic Age where our life relies on the advantages of plastic, while its disadvantages are overlooked. Plastic Planet, a film by Werner Boote is a gutsy documentary that provides the viewers with facts about how a substance such as plastic has consumed our existence, even if we may be unaware of how it is created, let alone its long-term effects.
“if the world stopped plastic production tomorrow, the millions of tons that have reached the oceans thus far, will float around in the currents of this world for thousands of years to come.”
Austrian filmmaker, Werner Boote grew up surrounded by plastics, not too unusual, but distinctively his grandfather worked in the German synthetics industry, thus from childhood plastic is literally in his genes. It was in 1999 when Boote stumbled up an article on fish dying in an English river due to a substance that is found in plastic, since then he has been on a quest about discovering the truth about synthetics.
It took ten years of research to collect all of the facts included in Plastic Planet, “if the world stopped plastic production tomorrow, the millions of tons that have reached the oceans thus far, will float around in the currents of this world for thousands of years to come.” Such data is embedded into the documentary along with numerous interviews shot in dozens of countries with individuals whom have had some life changing effect from plastics. Whether it is the former president of PlasticsEurope, a geneticist that proved the destructive side effects of BPA found in plastic, or even the most prominent plastic surgeon of Hollywood, each interview provides a refreshing new outlook on synthetics.
Both sides of the story are included: the benefits of plastic, the fact that it has created a revolution, a cheaper lighter alternative to glass or metal, mass-production has never been so easy. Conversely plastic is literally everywhere, on every beach on the world. Boote has provided such an awakening retrospective that after viewing Plastic Planet the advisor of Abu Dhabi’s Shiek along with member of the Ministry of Environment and Water enforced that in 2013 Abu Dhabi will be banning plastic bags.
Aside from the environmental destruction that comes from plastics, there is also the health hazards that result from the toxins that are released from plastic over the years. No longer is 2012 and the end of the world such a great fear to me, for it has been replaced by the great peril that plastics has put upon our health. Never have I thought that learning about the lessening sperm count in men due to BPA be withstandable to watch, let alone entertaining. Truthfully Plastic Planet is the only documentary that hasn’t bored me to tears, making it much worth your time.
The film’s viewing takes place at New York’s Cinema Village on January 14th so you can develop your own opinions, and maybe even reconsider your current lifestyle.