Sophia Masciarelli

Energy at the Movies Video and Questions

Energy and Sustainability
Due 03.20.17

1. How has the topic of energy changed in the movies over time?
Energy in films is reflective of society and societys energy needs, and has varied thusly
over the years as these needs and dependencies have shifted. The first appearance of
energy in films was wood in silent films in the early-1900s. Wood as an energy source
peaked around the year 1875, with use declining each year after that, and the films
reflected this. In these early films, wood usually played a nominal role; lumber
companies were depicted as bankrupt or on its last legs (as characterized by 1923s
The Noon Whistle (Stan Laurel)) until woods presence faded entirely. Coal, however, has
much longer and more complex history in America, and films reflect that. For example,
1941s How Green Was My Valley first paints coal as an energy source in a positive light,
one that brings jobs and prosperity to the characters. But in the 2 hour course of the film,
it ends up very negatively. Coal becomes the driving force of harm to valley and virtually
all of its inhabitants as the landscape is damaged and livelihoods are destroyed, all until
the coal eventually runs out. This negative theme of devastation and destruction
becomes an underlying foundation for almost all of Hollywoods coal movies during this
time period. Coal [typically] goes hand-in-hand with poverty and environmental
degradation [in this time], says by Dr. Webber. Despite our reliance and the importance
of coal, it is typically portrayed very negatively. This is in contrast with oil; an energy
source which was typically portrayed very positively because it saw rise around the
same time the film industry was taking off. However, a shift was observed in the early
21st century as a result of several disaster which drove up the price of oil. After this time,
oil was portrayed primarily very negative. Nuclear, though, has almost always been
painted as negative and dangerous throughout its history in film. The few instances that
it has been slightly positive were in an intent to show a very futuristic and
technologically advanced scene. Hydroelectric power is typically associated with
progress; moving from old farms to a new era of energy. And finally, renewable energy
sources are usually in place to signify the future, or a new technological time of
advancement.
2. How can you explain the change over time in the treatment of fossil fuels in the movies?
I would relate this shift to the roles fossil fuels played in our lives during the time the
movie was created. Whatever society felt about it was the way in which it was portrayed
by the films. Disasters and other historical events played a large role in this.