Myron Clemons
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
Jor Bornek
I really enjoyed this documentary, and it reminded me a bit of "Salt of the earth", because it investigates a large issue, nature conservation, from a personal perspective. This is what makes the story relatable to me, and not so distant and moralising as some nature films can be. We follow Charlie as he get to know the people who live in and make a living from the forest. And as Charlie get to know the people, we also get to know Charlie. I find it easy to put myself in Charlies shoes from the beginning, and throughout the story, I think the whole human emotional spectrum is involved. I think Charlie grows as a person from his encounters, and the subtle pieces of personal information we get from his wife and the narrator voice, make us take part in this development. In these encounters, there are many touching moments, as we get to know the stories of the people that are cutting the forest. I find the conclusion realistic, but somewhat hopeful and inspiring: It is actually possible to do something, even if the situation is complex.