I have followed the development of "Crude" and "Age of Stupid" with eager anticipation for what seems like years - well, it was years - so when I finally got to the People's Premiere in Staines last night, my expectations were sky-high.
They were more than met.
I was moved, challenged and inspired by this simple, haunting film. The power in these stories and interviews is the plain, unvarnished truth of what we are doing to our species and our only home.
The People's Premiere also featured live links to the solar tent in Leicester Square, before and after the film. Nicholas Stern chatted with Franny on the green carpet, telling us how his 2007 Report under-estimated the costs of doing nothing and the speed with which dangerous climate change is progressing. The President of Mauritius delivered a well-spoken video contribution: to have the President of a Sovereign State announce the complete decarbonisation of a country, at this premiere, was electrifying. Seeing Ed Miliband on stage between Franny and Mark Lynas was buttock-clenching viewing - all credit to the younger Miliband for agreeing to stand alongside them.
Franny also used the Premiere to launch the Not Stupid campaign, which everyone who sees the flim this year should be itching to join! See their website for details - it currently has the unmissable video from the President of Mauritius:
At the cinema in person were Sarah from the Greening Campaign and Sam from the Campaign Against Climate Change. They were great comperes and explained what we all need to do to influence the outcome of the critical UN climate change conference (COP15) in Copenhagen in December 2009, including getting everyone we know to join the March against Climate Change in London on 5 December. I met Rachel Urquhart from Envision, who work to engage young people in making a difference, and was invited to a CACC co-ordination meeting at Houseman's bookshop in London on 24 March.
This is enough of a springboard for me. When the Not Stupid campaign are ready to release local screening licences, I will arrange one or more showing of "The Age of Stupid" in the Windsor area. I will host one for the young people involved in Scouting and their families and am keen to arrange other evening screenings for the wider public, in our local schools.
Congratulations to Franny, Lizzie, Leo, Pete Postlethwaite and all who have brought "The Age of Stupid" to our screens. It is a brilliant film and I wish them huge success with its launch on 20 March, which is also the Spring equinox and my birthday, so a great day to start!
