Breakpoint: A Counter History of Progress (2019)

Breakpoint: A Counter History of Progress Poster
Original Title: L'Homme a mangé la Terre

An account of the last two centuries of the Anthropocene, the Age of Man. How human beings have progressed so much in such a short time through war and the selfish interests of a few, belligerent politicians and captains of industry, damaging the welfare of the majority of mankind, impoverishing the weakest, greedily devouring the limited resources of the Earth.

Film Overview
"Breakpoint: A Counter History of Progress" by director Jean-Robert Viallet is a 2019 French documentary launched in English also. This captivating documentary questions the role of technological advancements in human history from an entirely different viewpoint. The film challenges the concept that scientific and technological progress always benefits humankind, inviting the audience to question the effect of historically significant inventions on our life, environment, and the future of our planet.

Material and Exploration of Themes
Rather than celebrating humankind's progress through innovation, the documentary explores the unintended and often dangerous effects of a few of our most popular developments like the cars and truck, the airplane, the atomic bomb, and plastics. It underscores how these inventions resulted in numerous casualties and the damage of our surroundings. The film builds on the idea that every development always includes a "breakpoint" at which the development develops into a regression, endangering the security and health and wellbeing of the planet and its inhabitants.

In-Depth Analysis of Inventions
"Breakpoint" thoroughly unpicks iconic creations. Automobiles and planes have actually reinvented movement but have contributed massively to global pollution. Atomic energy has actually transformed medication, market, and warfare, but the hazard of nuclear catastrophe looms big. Plastic, once promoted as a marvel material, has now suffocated our oceans and chokes countless wildlife species. The movie highlights the paradox that these innovations, which were developed to improve our lives, have actually rather degraded our environment and threaten our extremely presence.

Cinematic Approach
The movie utilizes evocative images and compelling stories to dramatize its message. It integrates historic video, interviews with researchers, engineers, historians and uses chilling narratives to accentuate the potential threats of uncontrolled technological progress. Through these appealing bits, the audience is taken on a journey of reinterpretation of human advances, and it prompts audiences to rethink our relationship with technology.

Crucial Reception
Critics have actually admired the movie for its thoughtful and provocative expedition of an underexamined element of progress. The documentary has actually been referred to as eye-opening, forcing viewers to reassess their understandings of technological development and its ramifications. However, some critics reveal the concern that the movie may be overtly pessimistic, painting an extremely unfavorable image of human innovation.

Conclusion
"Breakpoint: A Counter History of Progress" wraps audiences in an engaging story that provides a various viewpoint on technological progress. It challenges the unquestioning approval of technological advancement as an inherently progressive force. By casting light on the dark side of innovation, the movie invites its viewers to consider over the pursuit of development and its possible threats. It worries the importance of utilizing scientific understanding sensibly and not just focusing on fast progress however thoroughly thinking about the possible advancements and matching breakpoints.

In General, Jean-Robert Viallet's documentary is a thought-provoking and extensive expedition into the complex connections between innovation, progress, and the dire effects substantiated of relatively advantageous developments. It leaves audiences with sticking around concerns about the future of innovation and mankind's function in guiding it in an ecologically sound and sustainable direction.

Top Cast

  • Jacques Bonnaffé (small)
    Jacques Bonnaffé
    Self - Narrator (voice)
  • John D. Rockefeller (small)
    John D. Rockefeller
    Self (archive footage)
  • Woodrow Wilson (small)
    Woodrow Wilson
    Self (archive footage)
  • Adolf Hitler (small)
    Adolf Hitler
    Self (archive footage)
  • J. Robert Oppenheimer (small)
    J. Robert Oppenheimer
    Self (archive footage)
  • Van Heflin (small)
    Van Heflin
    Self (archive footage)
  • Lewis Strauss (small)
    Lewis Strauss
    Self (archive footage)
  • Mária Telkes
    Self (archive footage)
  • Ronald Reagan (small)
    Ronald Reagan
    Self (archive footage)
  • Jane Wyman (small)
    Jane Wyman
    Self (archive footage)
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower (small)
    Dwight D. Eisenhower
    Self (archive footage)