Butterfly
Butterfly
| 30 March 2001 (USA)
Butterfly Trailers

Living in an ancient redwood tree for more than two years to prevent the tree from being clear-cut, Julia Butterfly Hill captured our hearts and minds by showing us that one person can make a difference. Through interviews with Hill, filmmaker Doug Wolens paints a portrait of an intensely spiritual and articulate woman who encountered both beauty and horror (she was assaulted by lumber company helicopters at one point) during her time above ground.

Reviews
Acensbart Excellent but underrated film
ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.
InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
Mehdi Hoffman There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.
sadiemaestamp this is one of those movies that stir your soul, Julia is so committed to her ideals, it is so refreshing to see someone who is standing up for what she believes in. she is so mature in her spirituality and understanding of humans and nature, it is mesmerizing to watch her define what she believes. bravo for Doug to portray her in such a honest light. we need more movies like this. i hope this movie has some legs as they say in the industry. i would love for it to be wide released into DVD format. i am hoping that Doug is able to create more of his masterpieces on film, documentaries are an important method of expressing our society.
moodtobestewed This documentary details the struggle over a tree between Earth First activist Julia "Butterfly" and a logging corporation. Butterfly climbs the tree and refuses to come down until the corporation promises never to cut it down. It takes two years.The principals in the conflict and local townsfolk are interviewed and needless to say, everyone has a strongly held opinion. Although the film makers clearly sympathize with Butterfly, I would say they do a good job letting both sides have their say, and the documentary never descends into heavy handed moralizing. It's a complex issue, and no pat answers are provided.A very thought provoking film - take your friends and you're sure to have a spirited debate afterward.