Documentary Review: Chasing Corals
Illustration by Nathalie Dickson.
Coral bleaching is a stress response to the temperature increase of the oceans and a subject that has been widely discussed. From podcasts to TV programmes, there are various notable mediums offering information around the topic. Like many people, I got introduced to the severe impact climate change has on this ecosystem through a Netflix suggestion. Chasing Coral is a 2017 Netflix Original documentary directed by Jeff Orlowski and produced by Exposure Labs. The key themes of Chasing Coral are the global issue of coral bleaching as well as the significance (and struggles) of communicating such concerns to a broader community.
The documentary exposes a fantasy-like cosmos on our planet. It becomes clear that corals are much more than the colourful backdrop to the world of Finding Nemo. A fundamental member of the reef ecosystem, corals are made up of small structures, known as polyps. They contain algae, plant-like organisms, which provide food for the corals through photosynthesis. This remarkable partnership, however, is dissolved when the organisms get stressed. As the documentary reveals, a staggering 29% of the corals on the Great Barrier Reef died in 2016. Global warming will soon reduce a bright and vibrant world to nothing more than a ghostly graveyard.
Like many great documentaries, Chasing Coral structures information into an exciting and adventurous narrative, demonstrating the whole process of documenting coral bleaching. There are also various obstacles encountered in the making of the film.As a result, the crew spent three years filming it with over 500 hours of underwater footage. After visiting several locations, they eventually record a bleaching event in Lizard Island and Catalonia, in Australia. The last part of Chasing Coral (which is also my favourite) presents the results of this work. The 'before' and 'after' images are startling. In an interview, Dr. John "Charlie" Veron (a coral and reefs specialist) says that perseverance and raising awareness is a top priority, especially for the young generation. Even though the imagery is from a handful of locations, such as the Lizard island, the scale of this issue is made very clear. Over 500 people from all over the globe came together to support this cause and report the changes. The final point is that it's not too late, but it is imperative to use all the tools available to make a change.
"Losing the Great] Barrier Reef has actually gotta mean something. You can't let it just die and it becomes an old textbook. It's got to cause the change that it deserves." - Richard Vevers, founder and CEO of The Ocean Agency
Regarding the cinematography and organisation of the documentary, a combination of different elements was very effective in drawing the viewer into the story. The main cast, including Richard Vevers and Zackery Rago, narrates and contributes their thoughts throughout the process. This adds a more personal and sentimental dimension to the whole viewing experience. Watching the corals die day by day is heartbreaking but the emotional support amongst the team can be felt by audiences at home. In addition, the interviews are a significant element of the film as they provide a scientific description of the coral reefs. Finally, the combination of aerial and underwater imagery as well as microscopic coral photography adds an extra dimension and conveys the intricacy and beauty of this ecosystem. A feast of colours and species reveals a marvellous landscape. The technique chosen to illustrate the coral's "call for help" is underwater time-lapses. Besides being a complicated process, it very clearly chronicles the corals and the changes that occur over the span of only a few months.
Chasing Coral is an impactful and thought-provoking watch that concludes on an optimistic note. I find it very inspiring as it conveys a crucial matter for the health of the oceans and underlines the urgency of taking action. I would recommend it to everyone who would like to learn more about coral reefs and the consequences of global warming. The website of the documentary offers a variety of resources for educating and leaving a footprint. Other suggestions for films on similar topics are:
The Perfect Coral Reef: Sir David Attenborough navigates the special Great Barrier Reef with more than 1500 fish and 600 coral species.
Blue Planet II: An exploration of the Earth's oceans with Sir David Attenborough.
Seaspiracy: A 2021 documentary exposing the effect fishing has on the environment and especially on marine life.
A Plastic Ocean: An adventure documentary directed by journalist Craig Leeson investigating ocean plastic pollution.
Theodora Varelidi Strati
Theodora is a 2nd level Master’s graduate from Politecnico di Torino with a background in astrophysics. She loves reading, writing, and traveling. Having a keen interest in science communication, Theodora used to be a contributor at the Glasgow University Magazine. Recently, she attended the Oxford School of Climate Change, which inspired her to engage with environmental issues and solutions. She hopes to make a positive impact and science more accessible through writing.