Anote’s Ark

In Oceania, situated in one of the world’s remotest locations, the island nation of Kiribati faces serious jeopardy: the lives of people and animals are threatened by the rapidly rising sea levels caused by climate change. President Tong is engaged in a race against the clock to bring his people to safety.

The delightful Kiribati islands in the Pacific Ocean appeal to the imagination; far from big industry and bustling shopping streets, the problems of modern life seem many miles away. Sadly, reality for the people in Kiribati is less idyllic. Their land, culture and way of life are in danger of vanishing due to one of the biggest problems of our time: climate change caused by the consumption-driven lifestyle of the modern world.

Scientists believe that Kiribati will be one of the first countries to be swallowed up by the sea due to global warming; the islands will soon be uninhabitable. The president, Anote Ton, faces the huge challenge of saving his people from the waves, while at the same time keeping the climate problem on the world leaders’ agenda.

The film follows his struggle against the backdrop of the climate negotiations in Paris, alternating with the personal story of Tiemeri, mother of six, who is doing everything she can to ensure that her family will be able to emigrate to the safe shores of New Zealand.