‘The Wild Robot’ Is 2024’s Only Oscar-Nominated Film to Pass the ‘Climate Change Reality Check’ Test

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Among the 30 movies nominated for an Academy Award this year, “The Wild Robot” stands alone as the one addressing the pressing ecological crises our planet currently faces, according to a study conducted by the environmental consultancy firm Good Energy. The research explores the portrayal of climate change in modern films.

Good Energy has introduced a “Climate Change Reality Check” rating system for contemporary movies, modeled after the well-known Bechdel-Wallace Test that examines female representation in films and TV shows. This new evaluation tool focuses on scripted movies and series, checking them against two primary aspects: Does the plot acknowledge climate change as an issue, and does it feature at least one character who is conscious of climate change. The test was jointly developed by Good Energy and Matthew Schneider-Mayerson, a professor of English and Environmental Studies at Rice University.

In my personal opinion as a movie reviewer, I found these two key aspects of our new screenwriting tool particularly noteworthy. After conducting extensive interviews with over 200 industry professionals such as writers, showrunners, executives, and communications experts, we meticulously designed it to be user-friendly, quantifiable, and creatively stimulating.

Among the 30 movies up for Oscar consideration this year, only 10 qualified for evaluation, given that their narratives unfold on Earth within the current era, the immediate past, or close to the future.

Ever since its September debut, “The Wild Robot” has been garnering accolades, even scoring an Oscar nod for Best Animated Feature. In my humble opinion as a cinephile, this film from director Chris Sanders can be described as a stunningly crafted computer-generated cartoon that hides within its sleek, modern exterior, a heart remarkably human. It’s more than just visual innovation; it’s a groundbreaking new take on CG animation.

The movie centers around a robot designed to serve, which finds itself stranded on an inhabited island. In a twist of fate, it takes care of a gosling. The narrative mirrors our worries about rising sea levels through a scene showing whales swimming over the Golden Gate Bridge. It also paints a picture of a world grappling with extreme weather conditions, as per Good Energy.

As a movie enthusiast who has witnessed the turbulent year marked by the climate crisis, I eagerly long for more tales that provide solace and fortitude amidst this challenge. ‘The Wild Robot’ offers a captivating portrayal of existence in an age of global warming – a heartfelt investigation into resilience, conquering apprehensions, bridging disparities, and the potent influence of camaraderie in an unpredictable reality. Anna Jane Joyner, the visionary founder and CEO of Good Energy, expressed this sentiment eloquently when she said, “We were thrilled to discover several Oscar-nominated films delving into crucial climate themes, such as ‘Flow,’ ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,’ and ‘Dune: Part Two.’ It’s evident that we have surpassed the epoch when climate change in cinema was merely the realm of superheroes, eco-activists, and neighbors who relentlessly nagged about recycling.

Among the eight other potential 2024 Oscar nominees considered were “A Different Man,” “A Real Pain,” “Anora,” “Conclave,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Inside Out 2,” “Sing Sing,” “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” and “The Substance.” Last year, three films – “Barbie,” “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” and “Nyad” – successfully passed the initial Climate Change Truth Test.

In 2019, Good Energy was established by Joyner as a charitable entity, dedicated to collaborating with narrative creators in Hollywood, film studios, and broadcast networks, with the aim of heightening societal understanding about global warming.

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2025-02-20 17:22