Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home Culture

Conversations about ecological conversion

byGuest Contributor
23 September 2014
Reading Time: 2 mins read
AA
EW'sreforestation

Helping hands: The eco-warriors were all involved in a reforestation project in Tembak.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
EW'sreforestation
Helping hands: The eco-warriors were all involved in a reforestation project in Tembak.

RISE OF THE ECO-WARRIORS: Feature Documentary on DVD. Starring Dr Willie Smits. Produced-directed by Cathy Henkel. 105 minutes. Rated PG.

Reviewed By Robin Williams

THE capacity for individuals to make a difference and protect the world we live in is the dominant theme in Rise of the Eco-Warriors.

A group of 15 young people from nine nations are chosen from a worldwide call to travel to the jungles of Borneo and meet with trained forester, microbiologist and conservationist Dr Willie Smits.

Their task is to spend 100 days on the ground in an effort to fight deforestation and save endangered species.

The stakes are raised when the group is entrusted with orphaned baby orang-utan Jojo, who is to be reintroduced into the wild.

Director Cathy Henkel presses a lot of buttons when it comes to issues such as ecological conversion, social justice and consumer-driven greed.

The problems the indigenous population and local flora and fauna face come thick and fast once the eco-warriors embark on a river journey with Dr Smits to local Dayak communities.

Deforestation for palm oil plantations and illegal gold-mining and logging operations are rampant along the way.

Dr Smits has negotiated an agreement with Dayak communities for a release site for the orang-utans on the outskirts of a village called Tembak, in the Western Kalimantan region of Borneo, but deforestation due to palm oil plantations will have a direct impact on their plans and Jojo’s future.

Related Stories

Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says

From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

The documentary is split into two parts.

The first covers an initial 20 days spent in the jungle assessing the problems and canvasing possible actions the eco-warriors can take to make a difference.

The second requires a lot more commitment on the part of the eco-warriors.

They are asked to make a commitment to spend a further 80 days on the ground implementing some of the plans and actions identified from the first visit, including reforestation projects.

To do this they must leave their jobs, pay their own way, and initiate major fundraising and awareness campaigns before they return.

Four don’t return but for the 11 who do the work begins in earnest.

When their leader Dr Smits has to leave for other international commitments the eco-warriors must rely on their own strengths and passion to see the project through and achieve their stated goals.

Rise of the Eco-Warriors offers a unique insight into the effects of first-world consumerism on the planet we live on and in particular the everyday life and future of an indigenous population that becomes an innocent victim of that consumerism.

Borneo’s natural assets are captured with stunning cinematography, and the local Dayak people are portrayed with respect.

Perhaps a little long at 105 minutes, this is a film that prompts conversations on ecological conversion and the demands our household consumables have on the wider world.

In all, this is a film for the whole family to enjoy.

ShareTweet
Previous Post

Survivors of Albania’s dictatorship give witness, move Pope to tears

Next Post

Vatican astronomer: Just a matter of time until life found in universe

Guest Contributor

Related Posts

Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says
Vatican

Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says

23 May 2022
News

From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

23 May 2022
Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Next Post
outer space

Vatican astronomer: Just a matter of time until life found in universe

Protecting children

Protecting the children

Teresa of Avila

Reflections on the work of St Teresa of Avila

Popular News

  • From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What is the difference between a Sacramental and a civil marriage?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says
Vatican

Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says

by Guest Contributor
23 May 2022
0

POPE Francis praised a pro-life event in Rome and offered comments defending the dignity of life on...

From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

23 May 2022
Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping