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__FILM ANNOTATION: WORLD IN THE BALANCE – CHINA REVS UP__

- World in the Balance: China Revs Up, Chris Schmidt (NOVA), 2004
 * 1.** **Title, director and release year?**

- The combination of overpopulation and affluence in China → China is on its way to becoming one of the world’s worst polluters, surpassing even the United States. It is a problem of the largest country in the world getting increasingly rich and flourishing in its wealth.
 * 2.** **What is the central argument or narrative of the film?**

- Overconsumption brought on by overpopulation is a major focus in this film. There is also the problem of mass pollution with no regulation or way of cleaning it up, as well as the health effects caused by the concentration of this pollution. All this is due to the concept of affluence portrayed by Americans, providing an image of wealth that people all over the world aspire to embody, despite the impracticality of the image.
 * 3.** **What sustainability problems does the film draw out?**

- The various statistics and facts provided throughout the film were the most compelling in my opinion. They provided a good comparison and way of looking at the problem. For example, one statistic stated, “China uses 1.3 billion tons of coal yearly… four times that of India.” This statistic, as well as many others, puts into perspective the consumption level China has achieved (in a very short period of time).
 * 4.** **What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?**

- The film covered the problems citizens of China face ranging from factory laborers to farmers. However, the only people they shadowed was a small family that worked in neither of these professions or one that would face similar problems in transitioning to sustainable practices. Basically, I would have preferred seeing life through a factory worker and/or a farmer and their concerns with transitioning to sustainable practices. I am curious as to what their opinions are on the subject, if they are for or against such a transition, and what concerns they have for their industry if the government decides to make the change.
 * 5.** **What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by?**

- I was intrigued to compare China’s progress toward sustainability in comparison to that of the United States. I assume that the US is more advanced but I am curious to see by how much and whether or not China is up to the challenge. Essentially, I see this playing out as a battle to be the ‘richest, greenest nation.’
 * 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 would highly suggest this film to all American consumers who underestimate the effects their consumer choices make (which applies to almost all consumers). This film shows the detrimental effect ‘living the American dream’ has inadvertently had on the world. Most developing nations are aspiring to be as wealthy as we are, disregarding the environment, just like we do. - In essence, ‘China Revs Up’ shows how Americans set the standard for affluence and in order to protect the environment we must set an example by changing our ways and making sustainable decisions.
 * 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?**

- Again, as many films do, this film speaks to consumers and the need for us to set an example. More than this, however, the film speaks to governments and their need to regulate industry and pollution before it is too late for other countries to follow suit.
 * 8.** **What kinds of action or points of intervention are suggested by the film?**

- Throughout the film, a slight emphasis was given to the fact that China is governed by a dictator. I found myself wondering if our democratic system in fact makes it easier or more difficult to produce the types of change China can produce almost overnight. Overall, the comparisons were fairly level with the exception of a political comparison.
 * 9.** **What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?**

[Posted March 15, 2010]