Rise of the Eco-Warriors (2014)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Please don't spend money on this.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Blistering performances.

Volunteers flaunt their experiences on social media and portray themselves as 'heroes' who are 'saving' underprivileged villagers. It reinforces stereotypes, images of differences and unequal power relationships between the volunteer and the host community.The "hero" (called eco-warriors) dance/prance around, lamenting the invisible "foe" (some unidentified palm oil company), without any in-depth knowledge of the issues at hand. The result is a sing-along of spoiled brats that pursue shallow solutions to a very complex issue.Today, several years later little has changed for the local communities. Despite repeated promises to make a difference from the eco-warriors. ("we'll be watching from the sky")#EndHumanitarianDouchery

I have herd about the fill for some time and I finally got around to watching it very amazing. It really is so powerful and thought provoking. I could only dream of making a film this good. I was very uplifting and ensured hope just by watching it.I almost creed 3 times watching the story unfold and at the end I am buzzing with joy in the hope that films like this can make a difference in this world. I thought it was going to be big brother meats the rain-forest but it is totally not that thank god. I think the exposure of illegal logging is very important. I would have loved for the film to show us what products have palm oil. I would highly recommend this film to anyone looking for hope. My favorite part is the welcoming of the villages.

I had watched the trailer online and briefly read about the film on the website before watching Rise of the Eco-Warriors, but nothing could prepare me for the magnitude of the issue occurring in Borneo and the incredible journey that the 15/11 young people embarked on to achieve whatever was humanly possible in 100 days.As a young Australian, I feel that we are not exposed enough to the real global issues that will pose additional threats to the world that our children and grandchildren will have to inhabit. This film is a perfect example of the type of content, style and combination of characters to be shown in schools around the world to inspire young people to act.The threat to Borneo's forests, people and wildlife is the growing expansion of the palm oil industry, resulting in illegal deforestation to make way for the plants that are used in many daily household products. The effects of this activity is disastrous: locals' land is being cleared without permission, they aren't able to compete with the huge companies to sustain their previous income, and animals are being forced out of their natural habitat.In the first Act, the 15 eco-warriors travel to Borneo and spend 20 days getting a first hand experience on the ground to fathom the extent of destruction occurring in this area, and then form groups to focus on four key areas to stop the palm oil companies and to heal the local community.5 months on, 11 of the eco-warriors return and face the problem of raising the sufficient funds needed to implement their projects. After a lot of helpful advice from the great Dr Willie Smits and some touching experiences with the local people, the team pull together to build the foundations of an initiative that can progress after the eco-warriors departure.The film has an appropriate balance of tension, realisations, peaks and confrontations to construct a documentary that is both moving and motivating. And of course whenever an orangutan is featured there is no doubt that a tear will sneak up to your eye. After watching this film I feel empowered to help this cause and bring my power to save these people and animals. The sheer ignorance of these huge palm oil companies is unruly and their actions need to be stopped.I highly recommend this film because it allows a raw insight into one of the many world issues that are affecting innocent communities today, and there is no doubt that the young eco-warriors that chose to lead the project are committed, passionate and driven, which ignites the fire in all of us.

Wow! I thought I knew most of what was happening around the world in terms of the conservation of our environment, the sustainability of our resources and how best to preserve and regenerate our natural treasures for future generations to enjoy.Consequently, I was pretty confident that I was doing as much as I could to assist the efforts of others in my own little world. I might have been on the right track but I definitely didn't know everything. In fact I didn't even know half the story.The Rise of the Eco-Warriors taught me, through the reactions, thought processes, and the caring nature and actions of the Eco-Warriors along with the guidance of Dr Willie Smits, what the reality actually was.As I watched the story of the forest peoples and orangutans of Borneo unfold, I was transfixed on what was shown on the screen. Literally.At first I was a curious bystander. It felt like I was on a tourist trip with a guide that was explaining what we were seeing. However as the movie progressed the reality of what I was seeing suddenly struck home as being real and not fiction. It was stark. It was shocking. It was more than tragic. It was devastating.I went through a range of emotions, such as shock, disbelief, anger, desperation, and also helplessness for the situation unfolding minute-by-minute and day-to-day on the screen in front of me. The tears I shed while watching this movie were real and I vowed right then and there to educate my family members and friends about what was happening in Borneo, and encourage them to see the movie themselves.Dr Willie Smits should be applauded and recognized for his magnificent vision as well as the brilliant work he is doing in Borneo. Without his determination, there would not have been any Eco-Warriors to share in his passion, or to help where help is needed in the villages of Borneo, or to educate communities across the world.The fact that this movie has made it to cinemas across the globe is a testament to the dedication of Dr Smits and the Eco-Warriors, as well as the work they have done and the work they are still doing. It is still very much a work in progress.Perhaps the biggest revelation I had was that I, along with most of the viewers in the cinema with me, come home each night to a comfortable dwelling that has water on tap, food chilling in the fridge and more food languishing in the pantry. We have little to worry about except for lifestyle bills that we accrue in search of our dream home/dream lifestyle/comfortable car/next holiday. We, the viewers, have no idea what it is like to live like the Eco-warriors lived for 100 days.Considering what they went through and the situation they were faced with on arrival, I believe the Eco-warriors to be among the bravest young people walking on the earth today. To be able to not only stand up for what you believe in but to then also campaign among your community for the privilege to be an Eco-warrior is huge. To actually take up the challenge after you have been selected to be in the first and final group of Eco-warriors, is outstanding. I believe that each one of the Eco-warriors worked to the best of their abilities in the conditions they were in. I doubt there are many who would rise to the challenges and tough conditions in the same selfless manner and with the same passion that the Eco-warriors in the film displayed.My first thought when I left the cinema (apart from anger at what I see as a huge deception on the part of food manufacturers) was to check the contents of my pantry, fridge and freezer. Why? I urge you to go and see the movie and hopefully, you will realize how important reading packaged food labels really is.Conserving, preserving, and sustaining our environment has always been at the fore of my personal beliefs. When I was much younger I auditioned for and was chosen to be one of the cast members for the Australian ABC-TV Earth Watch children's program in 1980. I believe this show to have been well ahead of it's time but sadly, it went largely unappreciated in 1980.When I learned about the Rise of the Eco-Warriors through Ben Dessen's passion and determination, I was very encouraged by the efforts of Dr Willie Smits and those of every one of the Eco-warriors.This movie is about the determination of one very dedicated mentor and his passionate group of young Eco-warriors. Their fervour for justice has led to many positive actions that have delivered hope to many.Congratulations to Dr Willie Smits, Cathy Henkel, the Eco-warriors and to the entire production team and staff.A magnificent movie that I have seen twice and would not mind seeing again :)