University scientist collaborates with Jeremy Irons for environmental film
An internationally renowned scientist from Plymouth University has worked with multi award-winning actor and Oscar winner Jeremy Irons on a major documentary about marine pollution.
Professor Richard Thompson, from the University’s Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, is a recognised expert on the accumulation of marine debris and was invited to appear in the documentary, Trashed.
In the film, Irons – who won an Oscar for his role in the 1990 film Reversal of Fortune – sets out to discover the extent and effects of the global waste problem, as he travels around the world to beautiful destinations tainted by pollution.
Professor Thompson features in the film alongside other leading international experts to help illustrate the global challenge posed by the accumulation of waste in the environment.
He said: “Marine debris is a growing environmental problem which challenges over 370 marine species, including some that are threatened and critically endangered. Yet this is a problem we can solve, as the items that become marine debris are predominantly plastic. While these materials bring great societal benefit, those benefits can be realised without the need for waste to accumulate in our oceans, and I am pleased Jeremy Irons shares similar concerns.”
Trashed was written and directed by Candida Brady and also features an original score by award-winning composed Vangelis.
In it, the documentary team and Irons visit mountains or medical waste in the Lebanon, tides of plastic on the Ciliwung River in Indonesia and see the effects of plastic pollution on marine life in the North Pacific.
Professor Thompson, who has published widely on this topic and advises the Government, EU and United Nations, added: “I was honoured to be invited to take part in this film and hope it will help raise awareness of both the problems and the solutions. The film has already been screened at the EU Parliament and there is a growing momentum to seek change within Europe, where a Green Paper outlining strategies for Zero Waste has recently been released.”
The film received a special screening at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, and is being shown in cinemas and at other high profile events across the world throughout 2013. The DVD of the documentary is being released on Monday 22 April.
You can find out more about the film on the dedicated website http://www.trashedfilm.com/
