HeilmannCraigAnnotation8

Craig Heilmann, Film Annotations

1. Title, director, and release year? // Addicted to Plastic //, Ian Connacher (2008) 2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film? This film focuses on plastic waste not as waste, but as a means for creating something new, its own material. It was a documentary that spoke of the many creative things that people are doing with this “waste.” 3. What sustainability problems does the film draw out? The sustainability problem drawn out in this film stems from a technological standpoint. Plastics are so flexible in their applications that they are used for virtually everything. Left by themselves as waste they can be very harmful to the environment. This is why it is important to come up with ways that we can reuse this waste so it doesn’t pollute our land and water. This starts with the engineering of less hazardous plastics and is then continued with the application of this waste that is generated over time. We as a culture much change our behavioral habits to get away from this “throw away society,” which is the root of all this waste. 4. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why? The most compelling part of the film was definitely the ocean scene where they collected all the plastics many miles offshore. The fact that the majority of it all collected in this one specific area was also amazing. The many applications for plastic waste were also incredible. It is amazing what these companies are doing. 5. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? The film did an excellent job with their case studies and portraying their information, but could have delved a bit deeper into what the consumer, the everyday person can do other than straying from plastic bottles and things of that nature. 6. What additional information does this film compel you to seek out? Where do you want to dig deeper and what connections do you want to make with other issues, factors, problems, etc.? I wonder what else can be done with this plastic waste. I wonder if I could come up with some creative way to use it that hasn’t been thought of yet. 7. What audiences does the film best address? What kind of imagination is fostered in viewers? Do you think the film is likely to change the way viewers think about and act on environmental problems? This is a film directed towards the consumer as well as the business owner alike. It reminds us to be conscious of what we are throwing away and where it actually ends up. The ban on plastic bags in India could possibly be strongly enforced here in America to cut down on waste. 8. What kinds of action or points of intervention are suggested by the film? The film suggests that the government should begin to really get involved in the regulation of plastics. Countries like India and Denmark are at the forefront of this movement. We as a global power should realize the good in things like banning plastic bags and giving incentives for recycling. We could really accomplish a lot with government backing. 9. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value? More attention could have been paid to the consumer level. The film could have suggested things we can do to help or even give the idea of initiatives for people as well as companies for recycling. To fix any big problem you must start small.