Narrative Film as a Bridge Between Humanity and Nature

This thesis, which is largely comprised of a video essay along with a paper and presentation, makes the argument that narrative film should be considered and can be used as a tool to help mend the disconnect between humanity and nature. Humanity, during the last century, has been seeing a rapid rise in its reliance on technology, which has also witnessed a quick rise. In our increased usage of technology and the man-made, we've gradually lost our place within nature — seeing ourselves as outsiders rather than the very products of it. Perhaps the most grave result of this disconnect comes in the form of our damage towards the planet and the environments in which we reside. There are many proposed solutions that have been offered and even heeded to heal this divide, but I believe that film hasn't had its moment in the sun amongst these proposals; narrative film, in particular. In my thesis, I constructed a video essay — a format that relies on many of the conventions one would see in narrative film — to make a meaningful argument in favor of narrative film's role in the relationship between mankind and its home.