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Striking for the Climate: A TIFF Review of ‘I am Greta’
September 16, 2020Ben MK
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For some, climate change is a non-issue; but for others, like Swedish teen Greta Thunberg, it's the only issue that matters. Now, in Nathan Grossman's I am Greta, we get an inside look at the meteoric rise of the now-17-year-old activist, whose dedication to raising awareness about our planet's urgent environmental crisis has inspired hundreds of thousands of people to take a stand for climate action. Whether or not you stand with her, there's no denying that Thunberg has made an impact since the world first met her in 2018. But protesting by herself outside the Swedish Parliament with a "School strike for the climate" sign was just the beginning. Since then, Thunberg has met with heads of state like French President Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis, traveled across Europe to such places as the House of Parliament in London and the EU Parliament in Brussels, and spoke at not one but two UN climate change conferences. Yet, despite her clear passion for making a difference, there are still those who vehemently disagree with her message and would rather expend their energy attacking her mental health instead of thinking of ways to productively contribute to a solution. Sadly, it's been two years since Thunberg began her journey and governments have still been slow to take action on climate change. However, that doesn't mean activists should stop striving. For if there's one lesson to be gleaned from I am Greta, it's that one person can indeed make a difference. All it takes is for people to listen. |
I am Greta screens under the Special Events programme at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 1 hr. 37 min.
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