Famed Director Carlos Saldanha hopes Rio 2 will spark conversations on climate change.
Since he was a kid growing up in the musical city of Brazil, Carlos Saldanha—now a famous Hollywood director with such box office hits under his belt as Ice Age: The Meltdown, Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Rio 1 & 2—has been losing sleep because of the problems facing the environment. As young as ten years old, he can recall seeing news reports about places being destroyed due to extreme weather—the images would cause him to “think about it all night long.” Although he knew nothing of the world, how it worked, or what his role in it would be, the pubescent Brazilian was determined to solve the problem one way or another.
Much older now—with four kids and a wife he married at 22—Saldana still lies awake at night pontificating about the warming world—it’s not something he takes lightly.
“It’s not a theory; its happening,” Saldanha says, referring to his personal beliefs on climate change, “the planet is not in good shape.”
Rio 2—the sequel to his 2011 Oscar nominated film, Rio—has a heavy undertone about caring for the environment. His love for Mother Nature bleeds out through his hilarious characters and he’s hoping that his boyhood energy transcends the expected laughter and smiles to spark a real dialogue about sustainable practices.
“The movie talks about the future; it talks about finding more birds and protecting them. It’s the very same story we face every day,” Saldanha acknowledges, clarifying that the Amazon that he portrays – which he didn’t visit until preparing for the film – is not only paradise that’s protected, but a paradise that’s at risk. “Why not give that message to a kid at an age that I was when I started to think about the environment. It’ll spark curiosity and hopefully they’ll go out there, research, and help change the world,” he adds.
Saldanha—now living in a “big house” that provides shelter to a large part of his family—is teaching his kids how to go green. In addition to adding solar panels on his home, Saldanha touts that his family engages in recycling, composting, and will be soon sporting a fancy rainwater collection system on the property.
A friendly man as animated as his characters, Carlos Saldanha, who felt like an intruder when doing research and development in the Amazon, says we’re all a part of the cycle of life and we should respect Earth, as it’s “something that was created in a special way.”
Rio 2 is exemplary work produced by a proud, humble tree hugger. This drumming econologist urges you to take the family to go see the 3D film; I happily give it two green thumbs up!
Rio 2 opened in theaters nationwide Friday, April 11th!
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™
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Read more on the environment and climate change by Christopher Norris:
Climate Change: Why There’s No Time for Discrimination
Econology: Why This Word Will Ultimately Save Your Life
Why the Murderer of Millions Still Roams Free