Catching the Sun

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Rick G @RT51446799 09/12/2023 This movie holds up in 2023. I've watched it 2X/Yr since 2016. See more 05/25/2022 Catching the Sun touches on various concerns with fossil fuel dependency. The documentary highlighted concerns with climate change, socioeconomic disparity, health issues with non-renewable energy, and the race to reduce emissions. That renewable energy, specifically solar power, would be able to positively impact these areas. Without giving too much this documentary shows that renewable energy is a real source of change in making the world cleaner. Take the time to watch Catching the Sun. See more 05/25/2022 Interesting film to see where we are now in green energy in the cities and countries that were mentioned. See more 05/25/2022 I think the humanity aspect of the film is very touching in regards of finding solutions for struggling neighborhoods/society. I am a huge supporter of that message. I was dissappointed of the heavy political focus of the film and the one sided perspective of it. But I understand that it is a politically driving topic. I am a solar user (100%) and electric car owner and a conservative and I believe in the innovation and the long term benefits of investing in this technology. The issue is when it becomes political and the use of false facts and hyperboly drives those who actually have the money to support and invest in this area away from it. See more 05/25/2022 Catching the sun was a very eye opening and inspirational movie. It really brings to light how much we need to be doing to better the planet and produce more clean energy. It really inspired me to do more and to look into solar panels for my house. I wish Van would of stayed in his position at the White House. I am really interested in what he is doing now. Again, great movie. definitely recommend watching See more 02/02/2017 Have you ever squinted up to the sky, stretched up your arm, and tried to grasp the Sun with your palm? The giver of light and light to us, we have been captivated by the Sun since we first laid eyes upon it, and now, with our solar technology capabilities, we are close to grasping its immense power for ourselves. The growth and prospects of our usage of solar energy is displayed in the 2015 documentary film, Catching the Sun, by Shalini Kantayya. This film does an amazing job laying-out the benefits that solar energy could have on our economy, our lives, jobs, and most important, the environment. Yet it seems to lack in informing about some of the facts against the technology and industry. The film begins in Richmond, California, with footage from the Chevron Oil Refinery. There are many accounts to how the fire harmed thousands of people around the refinery, and how insignificantly it harmed the corporation itself. A small blurb of solar history is provided in the front of the documentary as well. From the beginning, the film makes it apparent that this is a battle between green energy and corporate monopolies. The focus of the film depicts the lives and stories of those who are a part of the push for solar energy. Back in Richmond, unemployed workers are trained by a new solar energy company to get skills in solar installation while trying to transform their city. The work of Van Jones is also featured, who is a prominent green activist known for his work with the organization Green For All, as well as his work in the White House and his eventual resignation from the white house because of attacks from the media. The film displays the attitude of Debbie Doolie, a conservative woman from Atlanta, Georgia who wants to shatter the presumption that green energy is a political battle. Even though America isn't able to move forward, foreign countries are developing and installing new solar technologies. The documentary follows a Chinese entrepreneur, Zhongwei Jiang, who founded the green energy company, WesTech, and is travelling to many other countries such as India and Germany to conduct business for solar energy. Jiang's dream is to build a solar city in Texas. This movie did a wonderful job depicting how solar energy can benefit our lives. Seeing how real people live their life for the solar industry, and have gained a livelihood from it, does a much better job convincing than just pure speculation of what going green could do. It's awful to think how arrogant and selfish some corporations can be, to deny climate change and attack green energy advocates, just so they don't lose any profit. This film really breaks down the claim that solar energy won't support the economy. Energy can become incredibly cheap for many people, as they can own their own form of power. And the industry will create many many jobs, for those developing, installing, and maintaining solar panels. The only ones this won't help necessarily are the fossil fuel owners. The film really displayed the rewards solar power can bring, however, it failed to address any of the problems of solar power which causes it to not be as viable. One such problem is the issue of containing the power that comes from solar panels. The sun isn't up all the time, and today, we don't have the battery technology to store enough energy from panels to continually power buildings. Besides the film's omittance of realistic reasons why solar isn't the only option we should pursue, I really enjoyed watching it, and recommend Catching the Sun as a film to watch, for everyone who is or isn't worried about the environment. -- Christian Amundson See more Read all reviews

Catching the Sun

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