User Reviews

It's a stereotype to think that all those who aren't with the 'ecochondriacs' are apathetic when it comes to environmental concerns, or in league with Big Oil fat cats. Not so. Look no further than Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore (whose latest book I'm presently reading), as a perfect example of this; a man who still cares deeply about ecology but who ended up having to leave the very organization he founded due to its becoming politicized/radicalized.

With that said, unfavorable reviews or critical comments of this film ought not to be perceived over-simplistically, as necessarily the rantings of 'climate deniers' or any other knee-jerk, pigeon-holing term, for that matter.

I think we can all agree that climate change exists and likely has since the planet was formed. Natural, cyclical fluctuations aside, where it starts getting debatable is when the anthropogenic factor is discussed and I, for one, feel one must always consider what ulterior motives or agenda, if any, someone has for advancing a dogmatic position as to this, one way or the other. There is a God. There is no God. Both views are capable of being held with an almost close-minded religious fervor.

Onto the film. As I see it, there's no reason to pan it even if you're not on page with the climate doomsayers. I'm certainly not, but I did find the documentary quite interesting and entertaining, nevertheless.

What little I knew and heard of Greta Thunberg prior to watching this is what made me want to see this film, more than anything else. She has been called a mascot for the environmental movement, and an unwitting pawn in a globalist plot to expand world government. (When the United Nations and the World Economic Forum are involved, it's enough to make you wonder.) We're told that her parents are or were in the entertainment business. I've also heard it said that Greta has claimed to possess the ability of being able to see carbon dioxide, if such a thing is even possible. I AM GRETA is quite watchable if viewed as a psychological/sociological study, if nothing else.

Two things immediately caught my attention as I watched the film. 1) How extremely curious it is to see Greta being filmed while sitting in front of a parliament building during her very first strike *prior* to her becoming world famous. Think about that for a minute. 2) The very first sound one hears is that of howling wind.

As to the first curiosity, there are those who think that Greta's (initial) strikes and her being discovered was not merely by accident or a coincidence, but something orchestrated and staged, and that what she has had to say in front of audiences has been for the most part scripted, possibly by handlers or her coach-like father.

Secondly, as one goes about watching this film it isn't entirely clear whether this climate activist/climate alarmist is all in a dither over 'adult-made' global warming or 'adult-made' climate change. For example, there's a scene of Greta huddled alongside protesters outside of a government building, bundled up in bulky coat, scarf, and toque. Later in the film, Greta is shown with her father, standing on the deck of an ocean liner, almost being knocked over from the blustery wind and looking every but chilled to the bone. Then there is her transatlantic trip aboard a boat (a publicity stunt?), where once again she appears uncomfortably cold.

There's no denying that Greta Thunberg is likable, however well-meaning albeit misguided one may think her to be in her cause. We learn from her father that she has a photographic memory when it comes to things that interest her, and yet at times she seems speechless whenever spontaneous questions are put to her by those she is seen in conversation with in the film. As for publicity and plaudits, Greta admits to not caring about being popular, despite the almost worshipful attention shown her by countless adoring fans who practically take to placing her atop a pedestal and making an idol out of her.

Which brings me to the most unsettling aspect in all this, in my opinion. Namely, how quick this girl ends up becoming a global sensation, especially with myriad (impressionable) youth across the world. Child psychologists refer to something called primary narcissism, which is the idea that children, in general, are born self-centered and think the planet revolves around them. There are selfies and camera-centric footage aplenty, in this. Next you have a whole generation being roused and taking to the streets in protest, in no time at all. Whereas some might look at this as amazing and something to be admired, from a sociological standpoint it can come across as disturbing, as proof as to how easily groupthink and mob mentalities can be created. (Really, I thought I saw this or something similar to this in "Occupy Unmasked," no?)

That children can be made to believe almost anything at a young age is a well-known fact, from those who are religiously indoctrinated to believe their faith is the only true one to those who eagerly await Santa Clause or the Tooth Fairy. Knowing how malleable the minds of kids are, that there exists youngsters who can be shown chastising grown-ups, well, there is certainly something surreal and off about this. Who knows. Maybe one day in the future Greta will look back upon these early days and shake her head in disbelief.

All in all, I AM GRETA is an intriguing viewing experience, regardless of where it is one stands on the whole climate change issue. I liked it enough that I watched it twice in the span of two days. Personally, the most enjoyable moments for me were watching Greta outside of her role as activist/alarmist, as in the scene that has her freestyle dancing in her pajamas, as if without a care in the world.

Global warming from rising CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes have increased dramatically in the last few centuries, it in an important issue that is slowly but surely becoming a worldwide crisis. One person has been catapulted onto the worldwide stage campaigning this climate emergency, I like many had seen bits and pieces of her on the news giving passionate speeches. I was fascinated to find out more about her, so I watched this documentary film, that follows her journey. In 2018, in Sweden, Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old student who has Asperger's syndrome (a form of autism), started protesting in front of the Swedish parliament building, vowing to continue and not to attend school until the Swedish government met the carbon emissions target agreed by world leaders in Paris, in 2015. What started as a young girl sitting outside a building holding a sign (saying "Skolstrejk för klimatet", translated "School strike for climate") slowly built up, with other students joining her in her protest, and social media taking up her cause. Thunberg's activism evolved from solitary protesting to taking part in demonstrations throughout Europe, and then making several high-profile public speeches. Thunberg spoke in many political venues to hundreds and thousands of people. She has also met many famous and important figures of the world, including French President Emmanuel Macron, former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Pope Francis. In the film, it also shows how Thunberg has made changes to her life to make a point, including going vegan, using public transport rather than cars, and not flying, as planes use the most emissions. Thunberg's father Svante is with her throughout all these journeys and appearances, while many news and television broadcasts either criticised her efforts or supported her, agreeing that things need to change. Thunberg's biggest platform came in 2019 when she was invited to attend the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit. As she refused to fly, she sailed to North America, across the Atlantic Ocean from Plymouth, England, to New York, USA; the voyage lasted 15 days. The last scene of the film shows her most famous and passionate speech at the summit, in front of thousands of politicians, dignitaries, world leaders and many watching across the world. In her speech, she said: "This is all wrong. I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!" The end credits show how Thunberg has had an impact to the climate change movement, including the Extinction Rebellion, and many mass protests across the world, demanding that governments and establishments make changes to save our planet. I personally have mixed opinions of Greta Thunberg, what she is doing does make people listen and she has good points, and considering her disability makes it all the more inspiring, but I can see why there are people that criticise her. With home videos of young Thunberg, insights into how she and her family reduced their carbon footprint, and lots of archive footage of her from television, this film is both politically and emotionally stirring. The story just speaks for itself with no need for people interviewed with their opinions, Greta Thunberg is a remarkable teenager who is sure to accomplish even more remarkable things in the years to come, and this is a must-see documentary. Very good!