Entertainment, Review

Review: Before the Flood

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Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary shows the realities of climate change.

By Alice Denison


We all remember his momentous Oscars winners’ speech where he took the limelight away from his well-deserved award to discuss the importance of climate change. This documentary, directed by Fisher Stevens and DiCaprio, provides the crucial information about the subject without force feeding anyone.

Before the Flood opens with DiCaprio discussing an early childhood memory involving the famous painting The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, which depicts a change in earth from heavenly Eden to deadly sins and over population, and, then, turns to twisted and decayed landscapes. DiCaprio uses this painting as the documentary’s backdrop to express how our world has changed and where we are now to then suggest where we will inevitably be in the future if we do not act.

DiCaprio explains his role as the United Nations Messenger of Peace on climate change and his commitment to the cause, a role that led to him being judged and accused of being inexperienced. He also looks at the refusal of politicians to acknowledge climate change and, the American journalists and news reporters who seems to follow the lead of Government. He says, “I play fictitious characters often solving fictitious problems. I believe mankind has looked at climate change in the same way.”

This documentary presents consumption to excess and looks at how it can be helped. It  highlights the disaster that is climate change but also strongly presents a glimmer of hope and the chance to change.


Alice Denison is in her third year of an English degree and enjoys going to gigs, playing guitar and watching movies.

About the author / 

Alice Denison

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