There once was an island
Will paradise be lost to climate change?
Three people on a unique Pacific Island face the devastating effects of climate change. As an enormous flood threatens to engulf their paradise, who will decide to flee and leave their culture behind forever? And who will stay, hoping only that God will save them from the ever-rising sea? This documentary is an epic, universal portrait of the very real threat rising sea levels present for our planet and the future of humanity.
"I came here to tell you that we have to leave this island", Faith tells the devastated members of the Atoll tribe. The idyllic island she left out of ambition is now sinking into the sea. And the boat that comes only once a year from the mainland of Papua New Guinea, is their only hope of survival: "I am not fit to go", cries Faith's older sister, "I am old." Suddenly the sky darkens, the wind picks up: "a big one's coming", warns Faith.
A storm throws almighty waves over the island, water runs wildly through people's homes, and over their homesteads, sending them fleeing out of their houses screaming and crying. "This is their world and their world is being destroyed", says Scott, a scientist sent to examine the island. When the storm dies down, the Atoll People are propelled into action, but leaving the island is still something they find difficult to imagine. "I like my home. I have the sea, I have the crops, I could live", Satty smiles, surveying the aquamarine sea. Like Satty, Telo knows that the tribe's culture, its unique language and ancient dances, would probably not survive if they moved to the mainland, but he sees the island's destiny written in its yellow leaves: "a sign of dying", he sighs. "If the waves come I'll just climb up the coconut trees", says Satty's son, shrinking from the idea of making a living, adapting to school, and exposure to diseases such as malaria. But the recent flood destroyed homes and crops, and the government of the nearest mainland town of Bougainville has been unable to transport food or assistance with only one boat servicing the island. "I have to do this for the future of my children", says Telo, packing his things onto the boat for Bougainville, leaving the tribe elders furious behind him: "there is someone who created this island! Do you think the creator will not help us?" Their words disappear with the waves as Telo steps like an alien into a land where trees are replaced by billboards. "Maybe we can do something", says Satty, "because If you lose something small in the world you lose a lot." An epic, universal portrait of the very real cost of climate change.
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Grand Prize, FIFO, 2010
Winner in the Feature Competition, Big Sky, 2010
Winner Best Documentary, Raindance, 2010
FULL SYNOPSIS
A storm throws almighty waves over the island, water runs wildly through people's homes, and over their homesteads, sending them fleeing out of their houses screaming and crying. "This is their world and their world is being destroyed", says Scott, a scientist sent to examine the island. When the storm dies down, the Atoll People are propelled into action, but leaving the island is still something they find difficult to imagine. "I like my home. I have the sea, I have the crops, I could live", Satty smiles, surveying the aquamarine sea. Like Satty, Telo knows that the tribe's culture, its unique language and ancient dances, would probably not survive if they moved to the mainland, but he sees the island's destiny written in its yellow leaves: "a sign of dying", he sighs. "If the waves come I'll just climb up the coconut trees", says Satty's son, shrinking from the idea of making a living, adapting to school, and exposure to diseases such as malaria. But the recent flood destroyed homes and crops, and the government of the nearest mainland town of Bougainville has been unable to transport food or assistance with only one boat servicing the island. "I have to do this for the future of my children", says Telo, packing his things onto the boat for Bougainville, leaving the tribe elders furious behind him: "there is someone who created this island! Do you think the creator will not help us?" Their words disappear with the waves as Telo steps like an alien into a land where trees are replaced by billboards. "Maybe we can do something", says Satty, "because If you lose something small in the world you lose a lot." An epic, universal portrait of the very real cost of climate change.
LEARN MORE.
WATCH MORE.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION.
Grand Prize, FIFO, 2010
Winner in the Feature Competition, Big Sky, 2010
Winner Best Documentary, Raindance, 2010
