Plastic Planet (2009)

Directed by: Werner Boote | 96 minutes | documentary

Just like the subject itself, ‘Plastic Planet’ behaves like a silent killer. For about thirty minutes, the film still seems to be a fairly “innocent” nostalgic voyage of discovery, or perhaps a glorified episode of the consumer program “De Keuringsdienst van Waarde”, but gradually the documentary changes into a critical pamphlet that arrives like a sledgehammer blow and from which there is no looking away or fleeing. It may be naive to think that there is something substantial to gain or achieve, but ‘Plastic Planet’ is actually necessary costs for every human being. Not only to become more aware of plastic, but also to be more critical and more assertive with regard to all kinds of other products and goods that are pushed down our throats as consumers.

‘Plastic Planet’ starts as an informative documentary born out of a love for plastic, with origins as the grandfather of documentary maker Werner Boote, who himself worked all his life in this gigantic industry. When Boote finally gets to speak to a key figure in the plastics industry, there’s a lot of awe at the sheer volume of plastic being sold and the extent to which every other industry is reliant on plastic. Plastic is such a beautiful and versatile product! A critical objection is only briefly placed between the nose and lips by Boote, asking whether plastic is not also a great burden on society. “The plastic bags lying around, you mean?” asks the big plastic boss. “Well, that’s more of a social problem. An awareness that must be created in man himself.” And yes, of course there is something in that. Moreover, even though there will always be people who are polluting and wasteful and this is not so handy with plastic, we should not think about missing out on all the comforts that plastic – or plastic – articles and components offer us. However?

Slowly but surely – in between somewhat duller and less functional episodes – the documentary reveals a series of increasingly disturbing scientific facts about the harmful nature of various components of plastic. And not only for the environment, but also for people themselves. Initially, the viewer still thinks that certain claims may be disproved or will only apply to some now withdrawn materials, but nothing could be further from the truth. The story gets progressively worse, without a liberating, hopeful word from the maker, with the result that the viewer is left with a hangover. It also doesn’t make ‘Plastic Planet’ just an insignificant informative film about someone who happens to be charmed by plastic. It has become a veritable pamphlet and a grand indictment of an unstoppable product and industry that may reach few people and accomplish little, yet every shred of consumer awareness counts as a gain.

It seems that Boote also only gradually realizes how harmful plastic actually is – and if not, he plays really well – and this only gives the film extra power. In effect, the viewer is put in Boote’s shoes, who as a naive little thumb finds himself in a vast unknown world, matures during his journey, loses his innocence, and changes from an admirer to a critic. Even Michael Moore-like practices are not alien to him in the film, as can be seen in scenes in which he visits a fair (about plastic) with a suitcase full of (700) reports about the harmful aspects of plastic. boss with his new findings. At the same fair, he also lets visitors know by means of a megaphone how bad plastic actually is and sticks warning stickers in the supermarket (such as “plastic causes impotence” and “plastic causes brain abnormalities”) on all kinds of plastic (packaged) items. These kinds of scenes are nice on film, but of course it is not very subtle or effective. Boote identifies several dangers, but what now? If we are to believe Boote and the scientists he consulted, it is indeed a serious problem. When Boote has his blood tested, it appears that his contact with plastic has reduced his sperm production by 40% and a study of sterile couples also shows that they have more components of plastic in their blood than “usual”. Plastic can cause miscarriages, and polycarbonate baby water bottles, for example, can release harmful substances when heated. It’s not all information to cheer about. But what should we do after we’ve fallen into a slump? The complete cardboard box in which the DVD comes packaged is of course very self-conscious and socially responsible, but is it a gimmick or can we really do something with it? Meanwhile, the plastic industry (of course) pretends it doesn’t know anything. The film shows that certain manufacturers know about the carcinogenic ingredients of their products but do not communicate about this to their employees or do enough to protect them. ‘Plastic Planet’ feels like the lawsuit (and cases) brought against the tobacco industry in that regard, as well as in the size and importance of the subject matter, as so dramatically portrayed in Michael Mann’s ‘The Insider’. It would be nice if the plastic industry had to make at least some commitments or bows here too. Until then, the viewer should just learn from ‘Plastic Planet’. This does not necessarily mean a renunciation of plastic, but perhaps a slightly more selective or conscious consumption behaviour. After all, Boote himself continues to drink from PET bottles during his documentary and use plastic items in ways that are presumably risky. Perhaps this is more based on the realization that it is already too late to save the current generation(s) than the idea that everything is not that bad, but at least it is still a relativizing straw for the viewer to hold on to. So be prepared, but most of all, go see the film!