2040

After encouraging us to change our eating habits in That Sugar Film (2014), Australian actor/director Damon Gameau turns his attention to the environment in this hopeful message to his young daughter, Velvet, who will turn 27 in 2040. Eager to show his audience what they can do to make the world a better place, Gameau outlines the benefits of small steps like eating less meat and using less fuel and power in a bid to incentivise tomorrow's eco-warriors to tap into their inner Greta Thunberg. But, while he avoids negativity or hectoring, Gameau adopts a bitesize approach that frequently oversimplifies pressing issues without providing too many tangible solutions. The aim is clearly not to frighten youngsters, but to urge them to correct the mistakes of capitalist grown-ups who should know better. Yet, while he tempers the quaint interjections of several small children with wise words from various scientists and activists, this film may have worked better as a TV series with more time devoted to each topic.