'First Reformed' and its confrontation of climate change, politics and religion

Image from Father Son Holy Gore

While deciding what to do for my next blog entry, I stumbled upon an old ticket for a film I saw earlier at Sundance London this year: 'First Reformed'. "That priest movie with Ethan Hawke?", you may be thinking. "What does this have to do with climate change?" Now, before you start wondering if this is a science blog or a film blog, hear me out. First Reformed is a very interesting slow burn, looking at how religious beliefs can be heavily influenced by climate change and environmental activism (or, in this case, extremism). It offers an insight into how easy it is to become radicalised. The film discusses how climate change and political inactivity yield complications for humanity's future, and delves into questions of morality. How far is too far when you are pursuing a cause that you truly believe to be just? Are extreme acts the only way to make fracking and oil companies reconsider?

This existential crisis through the eyes of a religious preacher provides an interesting and novel perspective of an issue that is receiving substantial coverage in global news outlets. With the foreboding presence of climate change worldwide, this is an undeniable thought-provoking zeitgeist film.

If your interest has been piqued, feel free to watch the trailer: