History was made tonight.
With screenings in more than 550 cinemas in more than 45 countries, the global premiere of “The Age of Stupid” has made a Guinness world record.
It would appear that this film might pack less of a wallop because of former United States Vice President Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth.”
But that wouldn’t be true.
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Pete Postlethwaite does a great job as possibly the last human on earth in 2055 looking back to archival footage in the mid to late 2000s and wondering why humanity continued on its course for self destruction when they all knew climate change would wreak havoc on the world.
Before the documentary/drama began, there was a live feed from the green carpet in New York City where people like director Franny Armstrong and actress Gillian Anderson were interviewed. There was also a song sung by Moby with all of the electrical power created by people riding stationary bikes.
Following the screening there was a live interview with former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan who said that global warming is for much of the world the key to increased poverty.
Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed – who pledged his country will be carbon neutral in 10 years – also spoke about how the sea is rising and forcing people out of their homes and how warmer ocean water has diminished fishing. He also said climate change has been killing reefs which has adversely affected tourism.
There were also live satellite links to the Himalayas where glaciers are receding and to Indonesia where deforestation is a concern. Radiohead’s Thom Yorke also played and sang a haunting tune.
This film makes the viewer aware that United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place in December and that it could – with the vocal support of global citizens – be the turning point for humanity when it comes to climate change. Find the UN website here.
For more information about the film, please go here.
It is not known when “The Age of Stupid” will be in general release.
Murphy can be reached at: [email protected]
