Call of Life is the first feature-length documentary to fully investigate the growing threat posed by the rapid and massive loss of biodiversity on the planet. Featuring leading scientists, social scientists, environmentalists and others, the film explores the scope, the causes, and the predicted global impact of a mass extinction occurring on a scale not seen since the disappearance of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
If current trends continue, scientists warn that half or more of all plant and animal species on Earth will become extinct within the next few decades. Entirely caused by human activities, this contemporary mass extinction is disrupting and destroying the complex, interconnected biological systems that support life on earth.
Through interviews with eminent biologists and ecologists, the film examines the primary drivers of species loss: habitat destruction, global warming, pollution, and invasive species, all compounded by the expanding human population and our consumption patterns.
Call of Life tells the story not only of a crisis in nature, but also in human nature. In interviews with psychologists, anthropologists, and historians, the film looks beyond the immediate causes of the mass extinction to consider how cultural and economic myths, along with deep-seated behavioral patterns have allowed this crisis to develop, continue to reinforce it, and even determine our response to it.
Call of Life examines the collective and individual choices we have before us, and how the decisions we make -- or fail to make -- in the next decade will affect the habitability of Earth possibly for millions of years to come.
"Highly recommended. This understated but alarming documentary explores the causes and likely impact of the mass extinction that is occurring all over the world. Well-produced, informative, compelling and disturbing." — Video Librarian
"Highly recommended. A beautiful and informative film that is also a call to action. Call of Life features in-depth analysis with thought-provoking interviews of articulate scientists, environmentalists, and visionaries. It is a powerful and compelling message...as an expert notes in the film, humanity has never been faced with a challenge on such a global scale. Call of Life is highly recommended for essentially all audiences, and would be a welcome addition to collections in most high school libraries, public libraries, and undergraduate academic libraries." — Educational Media Reviews Online
"Call of Life is an urgent message about the current mass extinction and loss of biodiversity. Ends on a positive note, even suggesting some specific effect things we might do and how they might actually improve our own lives in the short term." — Anthropology Review Database
"A great springboard for classroom discussion...The scientists, ecologists and other experts conclude that our modern, consumer-driven culture is creating a mass extinction to rival the one that killed off the dinosaurs 60 million years ago." — School Library Journal
"Species around the world are disappearing faster than ever before due to our addiction to fossil fuel and other human activities. Call of Life helps us understand this horrible consequence of our actions or lack thereof--a painful but necessary understanding. Everyone needs to see this film." — Terry Root, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Woods Institute for the Environment Department of Biology, Stanford University
Citation
Main credits
Thompson, Monte (film director)
Van Burg, Chera (film producer)
Coyote, Peter (narrator)
Daily, Gretchen C. (commentator)
Pimm, Stuart L (commentator)
Myers, Norman (commentator)
Chapela, Ignacio H. (commentator)
Roopnarine, Peter David (commentator)
Other credits
Directors of photography, Steve Davy, Peter McCandless; editors, Greg Tennant, Monte Thompson; music, Hans Christian, Richard Wormstall.
Endangered Species and Extinction; Environmental Anthropology; Biodiversity; Environmentalists; Ecology
Keywords
Biodiversity,Environmentalists,Endangered Species,Ecology,Biology,Climate Change,Psychology,Anthropology; "Call of Life"; The Video Project; "L'appel de la Vie - Faire face à l'extinction de masse
Зов жизни";
Distributor: The Video Project
Length: 80 minutes
Date: 2010
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: Grade 7 and up
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
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