Terraforma review unhurried portrait of Ascension Island's human-made nature

"Using this example as a starting point, Kevin Brennan and Laurence Durkin's unhurried documentary contemplates the evolution of terraforming, a much-theorised ecological process in which humans alter a hostile environment to their needs. Visually, this film unfolds in a series of static vignettes, which largely capture the natural topography of Ascension."

"Unfortunately, many of these discussions lean towards the philosophical and speculative, offering little historical and practical insight into the pitfalls of terraforming. None of the interviewees are from the global south, which is also problematic, considering the primarily imperialist impulse behind the desire to reshape and conquer this so-called uncharted territory."

"In fact, without concrete examples and evidence, this film inadvertently reinforces simplistic binaries devoid of sociopolitical nuance and, without analytical rigour, the beautiful cinematography is also rendered hollow, resembling not much more than a decorative slideshow."

Ascension Island, a volcanic Atlantic outpost, underwent dramatic transformation when British botanists introduced plants during the Victorian era, converting barren terrain into lush vegetation. Directors Kevin Brennan and Laurence Durkin's documentary explores terraforming—the process of altering hostile environments for human needs—using this island as a case study. The film employs static visual compositions capturing striking landscapes of black lava fields, golden sands, and green forests, with minimal human presence on screen. Expert voiceovers discuss human-nature relationships, yet conversations remain largely philosophical and speculative. The film lacks concrete historical examples, practical insights into terraforming's consequences, and diverse global perspectives, particularly from the Global South. This absence of analytical rigor and sociopolitical nuance undermines the cinematography's visual beauty, reducing the work to decorative imagery rather than substantive exploration.

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