Arts, Movies

Solarpunk Movies: Visualizing an Optimistic Future

Lacking a definitive Solarpunk movie, we listed films with Solarpunk elements and called on filmmakers to explore the genre

Seeds of Solarpunk in the Movie World

Dystopian Movies

Plenty of dystopian movies are out there: Blade Runner comes to mind, Metropolis, Planet of the Apes, Terminator, Mad Max, The Time Machine, to name a few.

Protagonists escape their dystopian surroundings. They might see better days, however, it is a fight for survival, and dystopia will carry on.

Since dystopian movies are popular and have been dominating the Sci-Fi genre for 50+ years, it is quite challenging to find full-blown Solarpunk films. Given the fact that Solarpunk itself was only coined in 2008, there are basically none.

Gloomy wet lane between high-rise buildings at night; views like that often used in dystopian movies

Identifying Solarpunk Elements in Films

Here some criteria in order to identify movies that have at least partial Solarpunk related contents:

Focuses on Earth
Transforms into or already incorporates a society and structure that complies with Solarpunk principles
Technology is highly advanced

Fort Worth Water Gardens through which Logan's Run protagonists enter back into the city

Following Candidates Might Qualify

Logan’s Run: Protagonists Logan5 and Jessica6 escape their futuristic city where birth control and life span is regulated by an AI/computer ruled society. All citizens are “renewed”=killed at the age of 30 years.
During their flight the couple discovers real nature and sees the sun for the very first time. When returning back to the city, both are determined to save the rest of the citizens. They are captured by police, and Logan5 is brought to the central AI/computer for reporting on what he found out there. Logan5’s insisting on the fact that there is a world out there, that they had found an old man beyond age 30, makes the AI/computer system overload and blow up, unlocking the gates of the city.
The city dome tumbles down, people are escaping and stepping out of their former habitat into nature, having the chance to embark upon a Solarpunk future.
Black Panther: Black Panther and Solarpunk both envision a future that is free from the environmental and social problems of the present day. Both also see technology as a tool for positive change, and both emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion. Wakanda’s use of vibranium as a renewable energy source is an example of how technology can be used to solve environmental problems. Wakanda’s emphasis on sustainability and conservation is also in line with Solarpunk’s values.
Wall-E: The film’s protagonist, Wall-E, embodies the Solarpunk spirit with his resilience and childlike fascination for the world around him, even in its desolate state. Similarly, the film’s conclusion, where humans return to Earth and embark on a journey of restoration, mirrors the Solarpunk vision of a future where technology is used to heal the planet and foster a peaceful coexistence with nature. In essence, Wall-E’s message of hope and the potential for redemption resonates with Solarpunk’s belief in a future where humans learn from their mistakes and strive to create a sustainable and harmonious world.
Ghibli Animes: Studio Ghibli’s films, while not explicitly labeled as Solarpunk, embody the movement’s core values of environmental consciousness, social harmony, and the integration of technology with nature. For example, Spirited Away celebrates the beauty and interconnectedness of all living things, while Princess Mononoke explores the conflict between nature and human progress.
Ghibli’s films often feature strong female protagonists, embodying resilience and determination, aligning with Solarpunk’s emphasis on individual empowerment. They also visually capture the movement’s aesthetic sensibilities, featuring lush landscapes and technology interleaved with nature.
Appleseed: This 2004 Japanese animated action film features a female protagonist, a soldier who survived a global war, arriving in a fantastic big city called “Olympus”.[1] There are plenty of Solarpunk elements in Olympus, with greenery on futuristic buildings, use of solar panels, hovering vehicles and more.
Note: There is a yogurt advertizing video clip set in a Solarpunk future, which can be seen at https://nerdist.com/article/dear-alice-solarpunk-anime-short-studio-ghibli-composer/. This clip is Solarpunk throughout, from an aesthetics point of view.

An appeal to the moviemakers around the world:

Why don’t you latch up on the Solarpunk topic? You can unleash your creativity and compose a thrilling story. As in every society, also a Solarpunk one, there will be plenty to explore. Conflict and challenges, as well as harmony and happiness. You might want to make something out of it, and be a catalyst.