Watch The City Dark

The City Dark is a documentary film directed by Ian Cheney and released in 2011. The movie explores the effects of light pollution on the environment, the human psyche, and astronomical observations. The film is an interesting and thought-provoking take on a little-known issue that has massive implications for humans and the world around us.

The City Dark begins by examining the beauty of the night sky and the stars that light it up. However, this beauty is slowly fading away from us. The film highlights the potential significance of the issue by examining the harmful effects of too much light pollution on animal and plant life, including migrating birds and sea turtles. The film also sheds light on how artificial light can interfere with natural rhythms in certain organisms and potentially increase the risks of diseases.

The documentary film points out that light is also critical for human health and mental wellbeing. Lack of natural light at night can disrupt our sleep patterns, which affects our immune system, blood sugar regulation, hormone production, and more. The problem of light pollution extends far beyond impacting humans and animals at night. It can also contribute to global warming, impacting the entire planet and climate.

The City Dark features interviews with amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, who lament the effects of light pollution on their hobbies. The film offers a firsthand look at the steps people have taken to combat light pollution - such as the International Dark-Sky Association - that help bring back the night sky.

The documentary delves deeply into the history of human innovation to shed light on why light pollution is such an issue. From the Industrial Revolution to modern-day cities, our world is becoming increasingly brighter, and this is having grave effects on our environment. Cheney interviews various experts from different disciplines, such as scientists and streetlight manufacturers, to get a comprehensive understanding of the impact of light pollution.

In addition to the current situation, The City Dark also deals with the future impact of light pollution. Several interviews with experts mention the potential for people to lose our relationship with the night sky over time. The film suggests that if we lose that connection, we will also lose sight of the environmental effects of light pollution as well.

Overall, The City Dark is an excellent and educational film that explores the challenges that our modern cities, air traffic, and other developments pose to the environment and human health. The documentary does an excellent job of highlighting important environmental issues and instilling a sense of responsibility in viewers to take action against light pollution. Cheney's camera work and interviews are top-notch, and the film's narrative structure is engaging and informative. Anyone who is interested in the future of the environment and the world we live in would find this documentary informative and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, The City Dark is a must-watch documentary film that no doubt opens viewers' eyes to the problem of light pollution. It's a sensibly and intelligently made film that delivers fascinating science, amazing photography, and deeply moving personal perspectives. The film poses essential questions to be answered by urban planners, environmentalists, and city dwellers about what their communities will look like, and the low level of illumination in our night sky. It's a movie that everyone should watch to understand the harmful effects of light pollution, the need for action, the benefits of doing so, and the power of the dark skies.