Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio has long been a vocal supporter of the fight against climate change. No stranger to the red carpet, the well-known actor will soon be heading to the British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival for a premiere of a different sort. DiCaprio has been working as both executive producer and star of the new documentary Before the Flood.
Directed by fellow actor Fisher Stevens, Before the Flood features a host of political powerhouses, and looks not only at the effects of climate change, but what can be done to curb its impact on wildlife, ecosystems, and communities worldwide. DiCaprio appears with President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and former President Bill Clinton.
The film crew traveled around the globe, speaking to both world leaders and local residents on five continents, along with scientists and activists. These interviews bring a greater understanding of the impact of climate change in different parts of the world, as well as discuss possible solutions to the problems created by a changing environment.
The presence of political heavyweights and the inclusion of many world leaders was integral to driving home the film’s message. “We cannot afford, at this critical moment in time, to have leaders in office that do not believe in the modern science of climate change,” says DiCaprio. The film’s premiere also coincides with the promotion of the Paris climate change agreement, a United Nations campaign to reduce global emissions. The UN currently has commitments from a total of 47 countries to sign the Paris agreement by the end of 2016, and is looking for more support for this initiative.
This is not DiCaprio’s first foray into the eco-documentary genre. He was also executive producer on the Oscar-nominated 2014 documentary Virunga, which addressed the issue of threats to the gorilla population in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before the Flood makes its European debut at the BFI London Film Festival on October 15, and will air on the National Geographic channel on October 30.
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