The Bottom Line

Photogenic youth sell a solid message.

Byron Bay International Film Festival

Cathy Henkel

Dr. Willie Smits, Paul Daley, Ben Dessen

A well-intentioned mashup of reality TV contest and enviro-doc studded with Mission: Impossible-style graphics, Rise of the Eco-Warriors follows a united nations of young activists who spend 100 days in Borneo in an effort to fight deforestation and save endangered orangutans.

Cloaking her wake-up message in contemporary stylings targeting a young demographic -- the documentary initially plays like a kind of Survivor: Borneo-- Australian filmmaker Cathy Henkel issues a battle cry for action against the big, bad palm oil companies busily bulldozing the rainforests of the southeast Asian island.

Despite the jazzy externals, the result is more educational than engrossing, although it's a hard heart that's not stirred by the charming presence of the featured orangutans. One-off screenings around Australia throughout March should be followed by niche festival berths, and the film is a natural for use as a classroom tool.

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Rise of the Eco-Warriors: Film Review