Press Reviews
"A Last Stand for Nature Against Mighty Odds"
NEW YORK TIMES
"Fascinating...Insightful...Stunningly shot"
VILLAGE VOICE
"Stands out...a refreshing change in a genre that often succumbs to out-and-out boosterism."
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
"Three fascinating profiles...Elemental speaks to the importance of protecting the natural elements: water, air, earth. It's a beautifully filmed piece, even when it's showing us white clouds of pollutants billowing out of a smokestack."
WASHINGTON POST
"Elegant... A triptych of profiles in courage"
SF WEEKLY
"Elegantly shot and edited... Even those suffering from environmental-doc fatigue will find much to praise about Elemental."
SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN
"Three environmental activists around the globe are profiled in Elemental and their efforts are duly inspiring and the related issues imposing...an interesting view of eco-warriors at work...Editing smoothly weaves between the three strands, with assembly polished in other departments as well, notably an expansive string-based original score."
VARIETY
"Three stories are interwoven with beautiful skill...Connected by an obvious passion, Singh, Deranger, and Harman propel this fine documentary about our impending global crisis, educating, and inspiring the viewer to remain vigilant and supportive of the three elements on which life depends."
IT'S JUST MOVIES
"Elemental is a rare, fresh look at environmental issues and sustainability that does not shy away from the personal impact the decisions to dedicate one’s life to a cause entails…Elemental is fascinating…with alarming intimacy…director Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee ties these threads together masterfully.”
THE FILM STAGE
“Elegantly told…beautifully photographed…Elemental rises above the usual rhetoric-heavy, talking-heads doc”
TWITCH
“The film inspires, solicits tears and ultimately peers deep into the changing condition of the planet and the lives of those fighting for a just and sustainable future.”
PACIFIC SUN
“Elemental captures the environmental movement in amber – a pretty, present-day artifact of people trying to preserve our planet.”
SIERRA MAGAZINE
“One of the top docs at Austin Film Festival”
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
“One of the best 5 docs at Mill Valley Film Festival”
SF MAGAZINE
“Beautifully shot, heartbreaking, informative, and compelling”
OFF TO THE FILMS
“Elemental succeeds…gorgeous visuals and a passionate cry for global change from real-life activists”
CINESPECT
“Truly moving and engaging…one of the better environmental documentaries out there.”
LOST IN REVIEWS
“Inspirational…The pro-active protagonists lift it from the muck of feel-bad documentaries.”
ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
“An affecting mix of character study and ecological survey”
SLANT MAGAZINE
“Elemental speaks to the role of each person in refiguring a connection with nature, and working for change once that connection is patched up.”
AUDUBON MAGAZINE
