My Extinction is the new documentary from director Josh Appignanesi (The Infidel, Husband), warm, funny look at an inept, self-absorbed dad who finds himself getting into climate activism. Daily Info sat down with Appiganesi to get the low down on his new film.
Daily Info: What's My Extinction all about?
Josh Appignanesi: It’s a documentary about a worried if somewhat self-absorbed dad who starts to get into climate action despite all the barriers he erects to actually doing anything at all. That dad is me, so it’s from the horses mouth. Regarding the whole climate thing, I started out in a state of guilt, anxiety and total inaction. By the end of the journey, though, I’m… still in a state of guilt and anxiety, but with a touch less inaction.
I’m half-joking, but also not: I wanted to show my discovery that doing something for the climate emergency doesn’t mean you have to go full Joan of Arc. The size and scale of the issue seems just too huge to most of us, is the thing. And so we worry a bit, then consider recycling more, then, overwhelmed, shrug and hope someone powerful sorts it out while we try to get on with our busy lives. Totally understandable. I guess I felt I’d either have to radically change every aspect of my life to do anything at all - quite a high bar of entry to set yourself – or just keep tootling on with not doing much.
But in actual fact, as I dabbled in things, as I met people who were already doing something, what I found were people from all walks of life who were totally normal and felt a lot the way I did. Except they’d gotten together to talk about it. And in that getting together, suddenly all kinds of really helpful and effective things became possible. You just have to make that first step – and then it’s actually fun, spending one night a week not lying on the sofa binge-watching reality shows but hanging out with folk, learning things, doing things. That’s what I hope the film depicts.
DI: What can audiences expect from the film?
JA: Some jokes, actually. I think jokes are pretty key. Especially in climate films which are usually guilt-inspiring, or doomy, or a bit flag-waving and worthy. I’m the butt of the joke a lot of the time – the more or less privileged no-longer-young white guy who in some sense might be though of as “part of the problem” – and I’m hoping that’s a way in for people, because I’m anything but an altruist or a saint. But also, we do need to laugh.
I hope the other thing it brings is intimacy. Those behind-the-scenes conversations with your partner where you do start talking about the future of your kids, or the state of the world, and then it’s too upsetting so you change the subject. We’re all having those conversations with family or in our heads, but it’s rarely seen, so we feel alone in it.
DI: How does one make a warm and fun film about the climate crisis?
JA: Partly you just show the reality of groups involved in climate change, which really are warm and fun. And yes, some harder feelings get felt as well. But that alleviates things, to have them shared.
Of course, it’s also true that humour is a defense – a necessary one, but still a defense. By the end of the film, it’s a journey into just a little bit more sincerity than someone like me normally wants to admit to. There are still some jokes though.
DI: What tips are there for those to get past their climate anxiety?
JA: Paradoxically I’d say it’s not about getting rid of feelings, because that is the road to denial and paralysis and acting out in counterproductive ways. E.g. “hey, if I buy this massive SUV I’ll feel less anxious about my family’s security.” This I’m saying non-judgmentally as someone who begins the film as a director of car commercials!
It’s about embracing your feelings. Feeling your feelings. That’s how you detoxify them. And by admitting them to other people, that’s the route to opening up a space for change. I’m still very worried about the future, but hey, it would be insane not to be, right? The difference is I feel I have some agency in it, and some friends to do things with. That’s liberating.
DI: Can you sum the film up in three words?
JA: Please. Watch. It. (And bring a climate-concerned friend!)
My Extiction is at the Curzon Oxford for a Q&A screening on June 30th, 6.20pm.
Panel hosted by Anthony Barnett of openDemocracy, with MP Layla Moran, and Climate Psychologist Dr Patrick Kennedy-Williams. Tickets here.
Further screenings at Curzon Oxford on July 2nd, 3rd and 6th. Head to the Dartmouth Films website for a full list of UK screenings.