Evie Ryder I have herd about the fill for some time and I finally got around to watching it very amazing. It really is so powerful and thought provoking. I could only dream of making a film this good. I was very uplifting and ensured hope just by watching it.I almost creed 3 times watching the story unfold and at the end I am buzzing with joy in the hope that films like this can make a difference in this world. I thought it was going to be big brother meats the rain-forest but it is totally not that thank god. I think the exposure of illegal logging is very important. I would have loved for the film to show us what products have palm oil. I would highly recommend this film to anyone looking for hope. My favorite part is the welcoming of the villages.

Savannah Pingol I had watched the trailer online and briefly read about the film on the website before watching Rise of the Eco-Warriors, but nothing could prepare me for the magnitude of the issue occurring in Borneo and the incredible journey that the 15/11 young people embarked on to achieve whatever was humanly possible in 100 days.As a young Australian, I feel that we are not exposed enough to the real global issues that will pose additional threats to the world that our children and grandchildren will have to inhabit. This film is a perfect example of the type of content, style and combination of characters to be shown in schools around the world to inspire young people to act.The threat to Borneo's forests, people and wildlife is the growing expansion of the palm oil industry, resulting in illegal deforestation to make way for the plants that are used in many daily household products. The effects of this activity is disastrous: locals' land is being cleared without permission, they aren't able to compete with the huge companies to sustain their previous income, and animals are being forced out of their natural habitat.In the first Act, the 15 eco-warriors travel to Borneo and spend 20 days getting a first hand experience on the ground to fathom the extent of destruction occurring in this area, and then form groups to focus on four key areas to stop the palm oil companies and to heal the local community.5 months on, 11 of the eco-warriors return and face the problem of raising the sufficient funds needed to implement their projects. After a lot of helpful advice from the great Dr Willie Smits and some touching experiences with the local people, the team pull together to build the foundations of an initiative that can progress after the eco-warriors departure.The film has an appropriate balance of tension, realisations, peaks and confrontations to construct a documentary that is both moving and motivating. And of course whenever an orangutan is featured there is no doubt that a tear will sneak up to your eye. After watching this film I feel empowered to help this cause and bring my power to save these people and animals. The sheer ignorance of these huge palm oil companies is unruly and their actions need to be stopped.I highly recommend this film because it allows a raw insight into one of the many world issues that are affecting innocent communities today, and there is no doubt that the young eco-warriors that chose to lead the project are committed, passionate and driven, which ignites the fire in all of us.

kirsten hargreaves It has been a long time since I've seen a film that has really plucked and strummed on every single one of my heart strings. Having a natural passion myself for nature and wildlife it really hit me hard to see the immense lengths these young men and women went to, to not only begin to make a difference but to inspire and educate all those around them. The entire time I was fighting back tears and becoming a blubbering mess in the middle of the theatre the two times I have seen this film. I've never been left feeling so empowered and so inspired, knowing that every little thing I can do to help WILL eventually make a change. This is the ideal film for men, woman and children of all ages, it's sense of passion, determination, love and teamwork will leave you all feeling amazing! A huge congratulations to everyone involved, producing a truly eye-opening, honest and heartwarming documentary. I highly recommend seeing it!

Lara Shannon If you haven't realised I am very passionate about the issue of Palm Oil and how the unsustainable practices in Malayasia and Indonesia are killing Orangutans and ruining villagers lives, then I must assume you are new to my blog. If you are equally as passionate about protecting this species from extinction then you must check out a great new documentary called Rise of the Eco-Warriors, directed by acclaimed award winning Australian director, Cathy Henkel.Faced with the challenge of spending one hundred days in the jungles of Borneo, Rise of the Eco-Warriors tells the real life story of fifteen young people from nine countries who undertake the mission to explore and implement solutions to the rampant deforestation which is destroying local Dayak communities, driving endangered Orangutans and other wildlife to extinction and contributing to climate change.Against all odds this dynamic group succeed in building an Orangutan rehabilitation centre, introduce a satellite monitoring system called Earthwatchers, start a reforestation nursery and build a global support network. Their efforts are put to the test when the bulldozers move in and threaten the future of a community living in a traditional longhouse. Supporting the documentary, the filmmakers have implemented an education program to inspire other young people in Australia around the world. Through DeforestACTION they have engaged over 1,900 schools and 60,000 students in multiple countries about the issues facing Borneo and how people can and continue to do more work to highlight the situation.The film made me feel so many emotions. I was angry, I cried, I was inspired and it reinforced my resolve to continue putting pressure on companies using unsustainable palm oil in their products and educating others as to how they too can make a difference.Special screenings are being held around Australian cinemas and a DVD is soon to be released. To find out more and to view the trailer visit www.ecowarriorsrise.com