To celebrate Earth Day, we’ve put together a handful of our favorite films that embrace nature to tell their narrative.

*Still from Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life”*

Grandiose in its existence, the natural world is one of filmmaking’s greatest narrative elements. It’s a seemingly infinite source of inspiration for filmmakers to explore conflict, philosophy, metaphor, and more. Not to mention, it’s easy on the eye.

On a fundamental level, nature closely resembles our humanness. It’s both beautiful and ugly. Gentle and chaotic. In this way, it helps us understand and examine ourselves, and can quickly reveal our deepest motivations, shortcomings, and strengths. One dismal example is Lars von Trier’s Melancholia. His character types are quickly turned on their heads once they are faced with an apocalyptic natural disaster. We often forget how tiny we are. Leave it to the universe, or Von Trier, to remind us.

There are times when we feel one with nature, and others when it seems completely against us. And with that, it leaves the door wide open for insight. The films we selected use nature to tell such stories and explore topics through historical, cultural, and present-day lenses. We hope there’s one or more that you can enjoy while appreciating the greatness of our planet, as well.

5 GREAT FILMS TO WATCH ON EARTH DAY:

Aguirre, The Wrath of God (1972)

Minari (2020)

The Tree of Life (2011)

Nomadland (2021)

Old Joy (2006)

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

Director: Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog’s Aguirre, the Wrath of God is a tumultuous tale of the obsessed Spanish conquistadors on their ruthless expedition to find the riches of El Dorado. The film begins with the striking scene of an entire Spanish court, complete with horses and flags and litters, descending into the misty, jungle terrain of Peru. What could possibly go wrong? Noted as one of the key influences on Apocalypse Now, Aguirre, the Wrath of God is an adventure, an odyssey of a madman.

Roger Ebert states in his review of the film (spoilers), “I believe he [Herzog] wants his audiences to feel like detached observers, standing outside time, saddened by the immensity of the universe as it bears down on the dreams and delusions of man.”

Minari (2020)

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Set in the 80s, Minari is a semi-autobiographical film about an immigrant family from Korea who settle in Arkansas and start a farm of fruits and vegetables from their homeland. The name of the film, minari, is one such uniquely Korean plant. At one point, the grandmother states that it can grow anywhere. Nature courses its way through the film, often paralleling the challenges and triumphs they experience. Their family is confronted with much that is out of their control, and it’s how they navigate such terrains that make this story such a gem. This film is heart-wrenching at times but always grounds itself with sweetness.

The Tree of Life (2011)

Director: Terrance Malik

Tree of Life is a stunning spectacle of cosmic and earthly existential explorations. Set mostly in 1950’s small-town Texas, the film’s narrative follows the upbringing of Jack O’Brien. It’s often noted as one of the best representations of childhood. Not everyone’s childhood looked like this, that’s for sure, but Malik’s examination is more philosophical than definitive. Deeper questions resonate, like what do we learn in those early years, and how does it define who we become? Is there greater meaning or motivation behind these discoveries? Can we choose? And does any of it even matter at all? The film beautifully intertwines the physical realm with our philosophical wonderings of it.

Nomadland (2021)

Director: Chloé Zhao

After losing her husband and what was her home during the Great Recession, Fern turns to a nomadic lifestyle on the open road of the American West. She drifts and picks up various jobs. She sits at picnic tables and in lawn chairs amidst large landscapes in the middle of nowhere, connecting with other wanderers. It’s not exactly a retreat from society, but more so a contemplation on what we call “home” and a shift in modern values. Zhao’s wide shots of open space and mountainous horizons remind us of the power of the great outdoors, how this boundless earth can awaken our innate resilience and joy.

Old Joy (2006)

Director: Kelly Reichardt

Set against the lush Cascade forest of Oregon, Old Joy is a film about two old buddies who meet up for a weekend camping trip. They are each at different places in life, but neither of them has it all figured out. When they make their way into nature it creates a rift in their present-day reality, giving you this beautiful, atmospheric reflection on male friendship, aging, and contentment. If you’re at all a fan of Reichardt, you know her filmmaking is one of a kind. It’s patient, precise, and never tells you too much.