HEROES OF OUR TIME

Early last year the filmmakers approached Greenpeace Australia with the idea of filming an inside look at how Greenpeace was undergoing a major resurgence and upping its profile as a watchdog on Australian industry. They eventually agreed and allowed Menkel and Marciniak unprecedented access to their strategy meetings, recruiting, canvassing and direct actions. While building a portrait of the organisation's operational methods, including its surprisingly strict hierarchical structure of authority, the film follows the preparations and staging of a direct action against a major oil company. It makes for captivating viewing and will undoubtedly arouse contrasting interpretations of the corporate and personal motivations at work (T.B.)