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Reviews
Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire (2023)
A massive blind spot
Features harrowing firsthand accounts and footage of what it's like to be caught in a wildfire, and a bunch of beautifully stark aerial shots.
The movie was mostly scientifically rigorous with no shortage of expert interviews, although some of these were a little dry or repetitive. Indigenous tribes are heavily featured in the less scientifically rigorous portions.
There is one massive blindspot - the film doesn't once mention the widespread impact wildfires have on air quality. Maybe because this would go against the film's 'wildfires are actually good' narrative? Estimates sadly peg premature deaths caused by wildfire smoke particulates at 3000-9000 per year in the US - far more than are killed by heat or flames. How can a documentary on learning to live with wildfires not address this?