History's favorite cautionary tale might be completely wrong — and that's the real mystery.
The contrast between the majestic statues of Easter Island and the desolation of their surroundings is stark. For decades Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as the islanders call it, has been seen as a warning from history for the planet as a whole - willfully expend natural resources and the collapse of civilization is inevitable.
Cinematography
Moai silhouettes against volcanic skies that'll haunt your dreams.
Writing
Narrative flips the 'ecocide' script with devastating precision.
Director
Spike Geilinger
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'ecocide' narrative was popularized by Jared Diamond's 2005 book 'Collapse'; this film represents a direct scholarly rebuttal that gained traction in the 2010s.
The 'walking' transportation method for moai — rocking them upright with ropes — was finally proven feasible in 2012, just two years before this documentary.
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