- Lessons and opportunities for Sri Lankan cinema
During recent times, many films and documentaries have been instrumental in educating and raising awareness on contemporary issues, such as environmental protection, climate change, human rights, gender equality, etc. Films that discuss environmental issues have emerged as powerful tools in educating the public and policymakers and mobilising them towards ecological preservation. Documentary films such as Ali Tabrizi’s Seaspiracy (2021) managed to educate people on the environmental impact of unsustainable fishing practices. Hence, it highlights the pivotal role played by cinema in inspiring action towards critical socio-environmental causes.
Though films have been instrumental in educating people and authorities on critical environmental issues, the cinema industry has been widely criticised during recent years for contributing largely to environmental pollution and global warming. The production processes generate a variety of emissions and pollutants, including greenhouse gases, chemical waste and air pollutants. According to a study conducted in 2020 by the British Film Institute (BFI), large-scale film productions emit an average of 2,840 tonnes of carbon dioxide per production. This study also disclosed that 51% of emissions stemmed from transport and the rest from large-scale energy consumption by the lighting and sound systems, generators and other machines used in movie sets. The report issued by the BFI called for better reporting standards and highlighted the need for using the service of eco-consultants in the pre-planning phases of film production. With the release of this report, many cinema industries and over-the-top (OTT) media service platforms have begun to adopt sustainable practices such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and connect with the audience in a more socially responsible and conscious manner. ESG initiatives are adopted by corporates and organisations across the globe to carry out their operations in a more sustainable manner by managing risks related to environmental, social and Governmental criteria. ESG initiatives take the holistic view that sustainability extends beyond simply environmental issues. It is a comprehensive framework that includes key elements around environmental safeguards and social responsibility, as well as how governance structures can be reformed to maximise the wellbeing of stakeholders. During recent times, global film producers have also paid attention to adopting ESG initiatives in their production process to promote sustainable practices within the industry.
Balancing creativity and env. responsibility
Filmmakers are now striving hard to balance creativity with sustainability by producing carbon neutral films, maintaining eco-friendly sets and using innovative technologies. The Indian entertainment industry is embracing sustainable practices to reduce its impact on the environment. In 2015, India released its first carbon neutral film: Biswajeet Bora’s ‘Aisa Yeh Jahaan’. The story of the film revolves around the lives of people who are stuck in congested and overpopulated cities and are detached from mother nature. The film conveys an important message to society, emphasising the necessity for preserving the environment and connecting more with mother nature to lead a peaceful and harmonious life. A Bollywood film that was released in 2021, Abhishek Kapoor’s ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ was shot on a zero-waste film set. The waste that was generated from the set was diverted from landfills and sent for recycling. These two films are pioneering examples in film production adopting sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives by aligning with the ESG framework.
Environmental concerns have become increasingly prominent in the South Korean cinema industry too. The commitment of the country to reducing the carbon footprint, safeguarding ecosystems and protecting biodiversity is reflected in various aspects of its film production. Films such as Park Jung-woo’s Pandora (2016) address the devastating effects caused by a nuclear disaster on mankind and mother nature and Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ (2019) reflects the devastating effects of climate change on underprivileged segments of society. Moreover, South Korean film producers have contributed immensely to the adoption of sustainable practices in film making by transforming studios into eco-friendly spaces that use energy efficient lighting, adopt zero waste policies and promote digital media over physical media to minimise the impact on the environment.
Many OTT platforms have also been criticised by environmentalists for their contribution to air pollution through high levels of carbon emission. In response to these criticisms, leading OTT platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have implemented various strategies aligning with the ESG framework such as reducing waste on sets, banning single-use plastics, encouraging recycling, raising awareness among the crew and cast, monitoring the environmental impact, implementing waste segregation strategies and working closely with local authorities and communities to facilitate eco-friendly sustainable production processes. These efforts highlight the commitment of global cinema industries and streaming platforms to align their production and distribution processes with ESG initiatives to promote more efficient use of resources, manage risks, adapt to challenging situations, attract and retain talent, and build confidence in all stakeholders connected to the industry.
SL cinema and ESG
A defining feature of Sri Lankan cinema throughout the decades is that the filmmakers have managed to portray the beauty and serenity of the environment in a very attractive manner to both local and foreign audiences while preserving the unique cultural heritage of the country. Despite its cultural attractions, Sri Lanka has been facing serious environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss, marine pollution, ecocide, etc. Sri Lanka’s first environmental film Sujeewa Priyal’s ‘Suparna’ (2020) emphasises the need to carry out development activities in a more sustainable manner by preserving natural resources and ecosystems. Several children’s films produced in Sri Lanka such as Somaratne Dissanayake’s ‘Bindu’ and Sunil Ariyaratne, Kuruwita Bandara’s ‘Ali Kathawa’ have been instrumental in raising environmental consciousness in the minds of children. Through such films, Sri Lankan filmmakers have managed to reinforce the ESG initiatives in their production processes by contributing to global dialogues on environmental sustainability, social justice and ethical environmental governance. Many Sri Lankan film artists have also come forward to raise awareness on environmental sustainability and mobilise communities through various campaigns.
However, there is a necessity for the Sri Lankan film industry to align more closely with ESG initiatives to ensure more sustainable practices within the industry. As the Sri Lankan film industry continues to modernise and expand, there are concerns that it will contribute to environmental pollution due to high levels of carbon emissions. Sri Lankan film producers have begun to venture into big budget movies with large sets and modern lighting and sound systems. Research shows that these types of production can contribute to significant environmental crises by generating large amounts of waste, causing sound pollution and releasing toxic air pollutants. As the industry tends to progress, adopting sustainable practices within the industry requires the contribution of all stakeholders. Filmmakers, actors, production houses, policymakers as well as the audience should collaborate with each other to strengthen sustainability practices within the industry and realise the goals enshrined in the ESG framework.
To realise the goals enshrined in the ESG initiative, it is necessary to implement proper policies to encourage filmmakers to adopt eco-friendly practices. Currently, Sri Lanka lacks proper policies and regulations aimed at strengthening sustainable practices within the entertainment industry. Government policies can play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable practices in the film industry. In Britain, filmmakers are provided with funds for films that meet specific environmental criteria. Similar practices can be implemented in Sri Lanka as well. Government policies should be aimed at setting industry-wide standards to maintain sustainable waste and energy management procedures and providing incentives such as grants, funds and tax exemptions to encourage filmmakers to adopt sustainable practices. It is also necessary to use the services of experts to study the environmental impact of production processes and equipment used in production before embarking on projects. Proper policy making is essential to provide the necessary support for the industry to move forward by adopting sustainable practices and creating a more conducive environment for sustainable filmmaking through awareness raising, regulations and funding. The Government should also implement laws to hold those artists who violate environmental regulations accountable for their actions.
The Sri Lankan film industry is a valuable economic asset that can attract foreign revenue to the country, boost tourism and nurture emerging talents. Adopting sustainable practices can boost the image of the industry and help the industry to become a formidable player in the global entertainment landscape. However, significant challenges remain in transitioning towards sustainable filmmaking due to the lack of funds and resources, inadequate infrastructure and gaps in technology. However, these challenges present opportunities for growth and innovation within the industry as well.
The Government and artists involved in the industry should implement strategies to connect with globally powerful entertainment industries such as Hollywood, Bollywood and Korean cinema and leading OTT streaming companies to learn about developing sustainability guidelines and raising awareness. With the support of global cinema industries, Sri Lankan production houses can take the initiative in training and mobilising young artists to become advocates of environmental issues and contribute to environmental causes through awareness raising programmes, developing green technologies, designing eco-friendly sets and promoting sustainable waste management practices during production and post-production activities. Cinema diplomacy has the potential to give the necessary push for the industry to move forward by managing risks and maximising opportunities. By building partnerships with global cinema industries, Sri Lankan cinema has the potential to attract more funds that can be used to bridge the gaps in technology and infrastructure within the industry, train the next generation of artists, gain access to foreign markets to promote Sri Lankan films and transform swiftly towards greener and cleaner production procedures.
It is important for artists involved in the industry to be more innovative in handling production processes. Green VFX is an emerging technology within the global cinema industry that has contributed immensely to producing high quality content while reducing carbon emissions. During recent times, Sri Lankan filmmakers have been shifting more towards virtual production procedures. By leveraging digital technology, Sri Lankan filmmakers have produced sets without the need for physical resources and extensive travelling to various locations. Therefore, virtual technology helps to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of film production as well as to save energy and contribute to environmental sustainability.
With proper Government support, investment in talent, the adoption of sustainable production strategies and shift towards greener technologies, the Sri Lankan film industry has the potential to realise ESG goals and become a role model for entertainment industries across the globe.
(The author is a researcher and lecturer)
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication