The Human Element
Photographer James Balog documents how humanity has become the single greatest influence on the planet.
In an arresting new documentary from the producers of Racing Extinction, The Cove, and Chasing Ice, environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change. With rare compassion and heart, The Human Element inspires us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world. (Source: thehumanelementmovie.com) | IMDb: During his four-decade career as a photographer and explorer, James Balog has focused his lens on the complex relationship between humans and nature. Human activity has now surpassed all other forces shaping our world.
- Year
- 2018
- Hunter's role
- Cinematographer
- Director
- Matthew Testa
- Type
- Feature Doc
- Runtime
- 76 minutes
- Countries
- Iceland, USA (CA, CO, KY, VA)
Collaborators
- Lyman Smith
- Olivia Ahnemann
- James Balog — Founder & Director, Earth Vision Institute
- Jeff Orlowski — Founder, Exposure Labs
- Bob Eisenhardt — Film Editor.
- Alex Heffes
- Matthew Testa
- Wendy Schmidt — President, The Schmidt Family Foundation. Philanthropist.
Awards
PREMIERE: San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) — 2018 WINS (1): • Newport Beach Film Festival — Audience Award (2018) SELECTIONS: • SFFILM 2018 • DC Environmental Film Festival 2019 • Wild & Scenic Film Festival • Flyover Film Festival 2018 • Park City Film Festival • Numerous educational/community screenings nationwide
Festivals
San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) 2018 • Newport Beach Film Festival 2018 (WINNER: Audience Award) • Flyover Film Festival 2018 • Wild & Scenic Film Festival • DC Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) 2019 • Park City Film Festival • Louisville Film Society screening • Numerous educational/community screenings nationwide
Real-world impact
The film focused on the overlooked human faces of climate change — fishing communities watching their islands disappear, children struggling to breathe, firefighters on the front lines of record wildfires, and displaced coal miners searching for new livelihoods. A free educational curriculum was created for middle and high school classrooms, giving teachers a tool to engage students in climate dialogue through James Balog's core message: "People are the only element that can choose to restore balance." The Kentucky coal miner segment offered a solutions-oriented pathway from fossil fuels to renewable energy jobs.