Grassroots activists from all over the world gathered in Paris last December for the 21st U.N. climate talks. By the end of COP21, almost 200 countries signed an agreement aimed at stopping catastrophic climate change. Global Greengrants was on the ground in Paris with a delegation of frontline activists as well as the Chair of our Board of Directors, Nnimmo Bassey, advocating for the rights of people most impacted by climate chaos.
Nnimmo is the star of the new feature documentary “Not Without Us” from filmmaker Mark Decena of Kontent Films. We sat down with Mark last week to talk about why he made this cinematic call to action, his hope for the future, and where we go from here
Why make this film?
The inspiration came after we attended the People’s Climate March in New York City in September 2014. Organizers expected to bring 100,000 people into the streets, but over 400,000 people ended up showing up. We knew that COP21 would build on the momentum and see unprecedented turn out. We wanted to be a part of that. We also had a desire to humanize activists by changing the perception of them as crazies who chant and hold signs. We intended to shine a light on the negotiations through the film. Also, we wanted to show that sometimes the negotiations and the system don’t work. The film is a call to action.
What was the biggest challenge in making “Not Without Us”?
We thought there would be a massive march in Paris, but unfortunately the terror attacks happened 17 days before COP21 started. Our biggest challenge was the moment when we thought there might not be a major protest and the film might be over. But the film clearly shows the resilience of the activists, who despite the ban, took to the streets because this message is important to get out there.
What’s your personal take on the Paris climate agreement?
Similar to the activists featured in the film, I think Paris was a symbolic step forward. I mean, 192 countries have agreed that climate change is an issue. That’s a step. Symbolically the agreement is great, but we all need to look at it more closely and see that action needs to be taken locally.
How can frontline activists like Nnimmo can drive change?
They have the most at stake, they are the most energized to want change to happen, and they have the truest voice we need to listen to. We know corporate voices aren’t going to bring up the rates of cancer, drought, and deforestation happening around the world and so it’s even more important to hear the voices of the people.[KN1]
What is the one thing you want people to leave this film understanding?
We need to resist the bad, rethink what to do, and rebuild by changing the system. We have the money and the smarts. We just need to redirect our efforts to result in a more sustainable approach.[KN2] People are the greatest change-makers.
To learn more, see “Not Without Us,” or to host a screening in your community, visit NotWithoutUsMovie.com.