WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Standing up for what you wish to see changed. It has always been a bit of a challenge, at least at times, when we witness something happening that we deeply believe must be altered, but then hesitate to actually TAKE any form of action to be a part OF seeing it transform. In the meantime, while we stand by in the prison of inaction, the circumstances only continue, weight on us, and keep reminding us that when it comes down to it, WE very well may be THE catalyst for desired transfiguration to becomes a reality. Now, HOW we then decide to PURSUE that, well, the means could be seen as a little–unconventional–perhaps. BUT, if EFFECTIVE, then let them call us crazy, because the RESULTS, small or large, ARE initiating a renewal of hope and, ideally, a shift in mindset. This is what conservation biologist Tim Shields had in mind in the midst of the Mojave Desert. His personal mission–to save the declining Desert Tortoise from its biggest detractor–ravens–by (almost) ANY means necessary.
Next, my Mind:
Nature documentary filmmaking gets a facelift in a most uniquely entertaining, thought-provoking, and ultimately inspirational way via this wonderfully executed sixteen and a half minute Oscar qualifying short film from the co-director/co-producer/co-cinematographer duo of Josh Izenberg and Brett Marty that magnificently showcases one man’s love of nature and its inhabitants getting paired with a highly driven purpose and the subsequent avant-garde methods he’s chosen to employ to see the Mojave Desert’s resident tortoises prevented from going extinct. On the surface, one cannot help, at least to a certain extent, think it sounds “Awww, that’s awesome” but still consider the entire affair a tad offbeat for being a lifetime’s adventure and goal to achieve. However, it is exactly that which makes the efforts Shields has, and continues to, put forth so undeniably worthy to see unfold, which this film does a fantastic and uncomplicated job of presenting.
What stands out is not just Shields’ passion to see the reptiles saved, but it’s what his research over the years helped to determine was the primary issue CAUSING their numbers to dwindle away ever since the earlier 1900’s. It was discovered that it wasn’t JUST loss of habitat to human takeover of their territory or increasing degrees of climate change–it was something of the more ominous, dark-winged avian variety. Massive upticks in the population of ravens, an unrelenting scavenger/predator that happens to favor the Desert Tortoise for a meal, which Shields pegged as the necessary target for his newly created forms of–deterrents–specifically designed not to KILL–but to TEACH. It makes this real-life narrative far more interesting when hearing about those who, by both their occupation AND, I felt in watching, personal preference given an overall respect for wildlife, choose to illustrate intelligence truly exists in other living things.
Utilizing a trusted (and YOUNG!) engineering friend, Frank Guercio, Shields gets provided with a wealth of quite ingenious “toys” to employ against his feathery adversaries, including booby-trapped fake tortoises, drones, lasers, and terrestrial rovers, all the brainchildren of Guercio, whose almost acting akin to being the Lucius Fox or Q of the conservationist realms thanks to the work he does for Shields and his objectives. Getting to watch these items in use is also quite fun, as each has a distinctive task it is used for and accomplishes said duties with such amazing and completely impactful success, often much to the giddy enjoyment of Shields and Guercio! But, again, it is these utterly preventative measures that IS noticeably, even if in small magnitudes, altering behavior, numbers, and distribution of the raven populations, eliciting a cautious optimism and most importantly, that aforementioned concept of HOPE for the Desert Tortoise and its future.
As with any documentary effort, the focal point beyond the foundational structure and themes being explored are the interviews with those being “shadowed”, and I personally love how down-to-earth and engagingly relatable Shields is from start to finish. He’s a man who simply wants to be that catalyst for change for something he has a total commitment to, yes because of his field of expertise and career, but also as a human being only wanting to see the world a better place for the denizens of it that still might get forgotten in the chaos of current realities. His personable personality doesn’t even come across that eccentric to me in spite of his focus and main aspirations that some might find mundane or, dare I say, unimportant compared to larger global issues, but as I stated before, the sheer dedication and obsession with seeing a species we share this planet with REMAIN around TO share it is admirable and challenging in its reminder of how we sometimes get too caught up in our own self-centered tunnel vision instead of possible noticing what’s in need of correction and then DOING something about it.
And THERE is the core gist of what this documentary paints a picture of–someone whose job it was to observe and report deciding that it wasn’t enough–but rather wanted to DO something about it, which he summarily did. The interviews with “the mad creator” Guercio, wildlife biologist Dr. Kristin Berry who originally set up the tortoise studies that Shields became interested in, and Sara Hanner all make the perspectives the film delivers more clear and affirming as to what Shields is undertaking as well, putting those additional human aspects to the events we see and even more solidified relevancy to the efforts being done. And, of course, there are the OTHER protagonists and antagonists of our tale–the Desert Tortoise and the ravens respectively, who obviously get their fair share of screen time here, and do so with a mix of understandable reactions like “how CUTE is that!!” (aka: little baby tortoises! Come ON!) and “those dastardly corvids!!”
So, in total, “Eco Hack!” is a pure, delightful, affecting demonstration of the strength of our human will to take the lead on ushering forth necessary actions to manifest change, regardless of anyone who would criticize or even seek to poke fun at what many might observe as meaningless or a waste of time and technology. Folks, let’s realize that not only is what Shields involved in MAKING a difference in the initiatives he’s brought into play, but it’s the start of what could very well be a LASTING process and legacy to carry forth into the current age and beyond. Let’s all strive to not be timid in cultivating the avenues into what we wish to make an impact on, because that’s what Shields did, with perseverance and success to show for it. MAKE. IT. HAPPEN. For if we ALL made choices to find the courses towards the BETTERMENT of this place we call home, imagine what a more magnificent world it would be.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
