How to Change the World

How to Change the World is a compelling, thought-provoking documentary film by director Jerry Rothwell. Released in 2015, it takes a fascinating, intricate look at the roots and birth of modern environmentalism, told primarily through the story of Greenpeace. The narrative thrives on the principle of bearing witness to the plights that the natural world faces due to human activity – a principle that is paramount to Greenpeace's ideology.

Rothwell's documentary is an exhilarating exploration of the early days of Greenpeace and its meteoric rise from a small, group of friends in Vancouver to one of the most influential and globally recognized environmental movements in the world. It follows the journey of journalist-turned-ecowarrior Bob Hunter and a group of other activists, as they seek to expose the inhumanity and ecological risks of nuclear testing, whaling, and seal hunting in the 70s by bringing it directly to the public eye.

A unique and unruly group of eco-adventurers are spotlighted in the film, including Hunter, Paul Watson (who would later found the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society), and other pivotal figures from the grassroots of the movement. How to Change the World captures the spirit of these pioneers who engaged the world in an urgent, passionate fight. It showcases the arc of their internal dynamics, their individual aspirations, and how they handled their sudden sweep into global prominence.

The film is expertly crafted around Hunter’s writings, which were transformed into the narrative structure. The use of archive footages, diaries, and interviews with the original Greenpeace members make the film greatly immersive. Rothwell combines this narrative with unseen footage from the group's various missions, making the film a fascinating chronicle that vividly brings Greenpeace's groundbreaking campaigns to life.

At its heart, How to Change the World is a tribute to the power of the individual and the collective to effect change. It will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever dreamed of making a difference. It’s a probing commentary on the nature of idealism, demonstrating that while individual motives and interpersonal conflicts might exist, they do not detract from the overall power of a unified cause.

One of the strong points of Rothwell’s documentary is the exploration of the inner workings and conflicts within the group, conflicts primarily driven by the tension between the necessity of pragmatic strategy and the allure of idealistic ambition. This internal turmoil reveals another dimension of the film, focusing not just on the environmental cause but also on the human, psychological aspects of a group under pressure from external and internal forces.

The film also discusses the concept of the ‘mind bomb’ – a term coined by Hunter, defining it as an image or an event that is so profound that it can change the way people think. This concept is brought to life with the footage of the first confrontations between whale hunters and Greenpeace's small inflatable zodiacs. These confrontations, filmed by the group and broadcasted around the world, could be seen as the first ‘mind bombs’, triggering a wave of public unrest, attention toward environmentalism and invariably changing the course of human thought about the natural world.

Surprisingly, the film also gives room for self-critique, questioning the frameworks and methodologies of present-day environmental activism as derived from those original 'mind bombs,' stimulating viewers to reflect on what it means to change the world today.

In essence, How to Change the World carries an essential message of the impact individuals can make in society when they band together to act against injustice. This documentary provides an objective and profound view of the roots of organized environmental activism, its triumphs, struggles, and core principles. The film jogs us to rethink our connection with nature and the ecological order while appreciating the birth and evolution of a movement that became synonymous with staunch environmental advocacy. It leaves the audience to ponder on their own role in the stewardship of the planet, whether through individual actions or by joining the collective force aiming to right the wrongs inflicted upon the environment. This film, in its entirety, encapsulates a remarkable journey and the enduring legacy of a transformative movement.