Behind the Lens: Interview with the Filmmakers of Climate Protest Doc “What About Our Future?”

“We are living in a time of climate crisis and, as teens, we struggle to reconcile that knowledge with the lack of action we see around us.” 

These are the words of Rebecca Hamilton, the main figure in the short documentary What About Our Future? 

Directed by Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos and Cláudio Cruz, the documentary chronicles the “Sustainabiliteens,” a group of young environmental activists who organized the largest protest in Vancouver’s history. Following the days leading up to the protest, we watch as the teens juggle university applications and extracurriculars with single-handedly organizing a mass climate movement.

Ahead of the film’s Canadian broadcast premiere on Hollywood Suite, we sat down with Gianopoulos and Cruz to discuss the making of What About Our Future? and the urgency behind this powerful story.

How did you first become aware of Rebecca and the Sustainabiliteens and what made you want to tell their story?

We were feeling quite overwhelmed with the climate crisis, so we decided to attend one of the youth climate strikes. At the event, we saw Rebecca organizing, and she stood out to us. We found her on Facebook and set up a meeting at a local coffee shop and shared our vision for the film. Rebecca introduced us to the rest of the Sustainabiliteens and the journey to making our film began.

Many young people have grown up with an increased awareness of the climate crisis, which some refer to as climate or eco-anxiety. With so many youths so anxious about their collective future, what do you hope they specifically draw from this film?

We hope that the film acknowledges the fact that eco-anxiety is a real thing and that the dissonance between what leaders say and what leaders do, does have mental and emotional impacts. We hope that the film demonstrates how that fear and anxiety can be transformed and used as fuel towards being part of the vision and change that is needed.

What advice would you give to people – young and old — who watch this film and want to become involved in taking action against climate change, even during the pandemic?

Do what is within your reach and engage in difficult conversations. A great way of getting involved is to first understand the interconnected issues that correlate with the climate crisis, such as racial justice, food sovereignty, indigenous sovereignty, land defence, feminism, conservation, etc…

We also believe mindfulness and awareness around where things are coming from, and how dependent we are on external systems is a powerful place to observe. The pandemic has highlighted this in a very clear way. How can we start to build relationships, and find more local ways to engage with our communities. Read books, listen to podcasts, sign up for trainings, volunteer at organizations, grieve, create healthy practices that calm mental states. Uncover the gifts you have to bring and find the appropriate areas to offer them.

We have a list of organizations and upcoming school training led by the lead characters of our film if you would like to get involved.

Given the recent winter storm affecting Texas, the climate crisis has made its way back into the news headlines. What do you think will it take to create dramatic action against climate change?

More people becoming aware of the climate crisis. Decolonization of the current world view that cares about instant gratification and self rather than the next generations and a wider community of plants, animals, and humans. Pressure from the people to change laws to prohibit destructive industries. A just transition – for example – oil workers being offered support to transition into green energy work, not leaving anyone behind. Centring indigenous knowledge and learning from traditions and ways of being that know how to work in harmony with the land.

This documentary offers an inspiring and powerful message of hope in a very trying time. What is keeping you going as you look ahead to your futures, both as filmmakers and as activists?

Creation keeps us going. We love the craft of documentaries and are currently in development on new projects which give us hope and excitement. It feels good to use our gifts as filmmakers to explore subjects and themes that we care deeply about. We approach projects with wonderment and curiosity and so we are always learning, growing and changing on personal and professional levels. The youth inspire us immensely. Their drive, vision, and understanding of these times lights a flame in our hearts and keeps us going. The only way out is through.

Find the next playtimes for What About Our Future? (2020) on Hollywood Suite.