Film+Annotation+4

Arunesh Ghosh, Annotation #4 11/15/11 Burning in the Sun

1. Title, director and release year?

The title of the film is //Burning in the Sun.// The film is directed by Cambria Matlow and Morgan Robinson.

2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film?

The argument explores the innovative and inspiring journey of a young entrepreneur by the name of Daniel Dembele who dreams of electrifying his home country of Mali through the use of solar panels.

3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?

The narrative is presented and sustained by following the business venture of Daniel Dembele. Dambele, along with the help of a passionate team of experts, attempts to undertake two projects in particular, the electrification of a school house and a water pump. Though there was not much scientific information presented specifically, much of the information featured was more practical. The assembly of the panels is explored, highlighting the innovative use of recycled solar panels. The film has a degree of emotional appeal as the audience can observe the passion of the team in their dedication to the cause, a cause that has many obstacles, mostly financial.

4. What sustainability problems does the film draw out?

The film really explores in depth the advantages of solar energy and its ease of implementation in developing countries. It details how lack of infrastructure in developing nations serves as both a boon and a curse. With lack of effective energy infrastructure, many problems arise ranging from lack of water to the lack of other amenities that are standard here in the United States such as refrigeration and cooling. However, this lack of infrastructure also provides countries such as Mali with a clean slate, an environment that can foster sustainable energy right from the start instead of being constrained by established infrastructural limitations.

5. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?

The assembly of the solar panels themselves is rather compelling to me. Some of the main arguments against solar paneling and other sustainable energy sources are the inefficiencies and high costs. This film however clearly dispels the myth of the high cost of solar panels. These panels are not only less expensive, but also utilize recycled solar panels which in itself is more sustainable than simple disposal. In fact, it makes me wonder why initiatives such as this are not more prevalent in the United States?

6. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?

I was not entirely convinced of the overall success of the venture. Though presented as a very promising and innovative idea, the mentality of Dembele raises some doubts in my mind. Judging from the interviews, Dembele’s primary interest seems more about financial gain with the prospect of helping his fellow Malians more of an afterthought. Though much of the team seems more interested in the possibility of introducing sustainable energy to the area, Demebele appears more entranced and focused on financial gain and in securing a foothold in a developing industry.

7. What audiences does the film best address? Why

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The film is aimed more towards individuals with a favorable view towards solar energy. Those who are largely opposed to the potential of solar energy could possibly dismiss many of the points presented in the film as simply not implementable within the United States.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">8. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps if methods were explored to apply this technology in other countries such as the United States, the environmental education value of the film would be more pertinent. It is wonderful to see that solar energy can indeed be provided cheaply and effectively, but applying this technology to other countries would have to overcome significant infrastructural challenges, challenges that are not discussed.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">9. What kind of action points of intervention are suggested by the film. If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can’t imagine being effective.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The film shows the capacity of solar energy and the many benefits that can come about through its use. This potential benefit of this technology is seen especially with the electrification of the school, which later turns out exponentially increased student pass rates.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">10. What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Inspired by the ease and relatively inexpensive cost of assembling the solar panels in the film, it made me wonder if it really is all that easy to make these devices? A quick internet search brought me to a rather comprehensive step by step guide on constructing solar panels right at home complete with videos. The film also made me wonder about the environmental impact of panel disposal, and whether or not initiatives to recycle panels are in place. According to an article in the dailygreen many companies prefer to conduct their own recycling to protect their trade secrets.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 22pt;">Links

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gies, Erica. "Solar Panel Recycling Gears Up." //The Daily Green//. Good Housekeeping, 12 Aug. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/solar-panel-recycling-460810>.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lavergne, Todd. "Homemade Solar Panels." //Squidoo : Welcome to Squidoo//. Squidoo. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.squidoo.com/homemadesolarpanelcheap>.