‘Act now to protect what you love’: this is the message of acclaimed film director Joshua Oppenheimer’s new feature The End being presented at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos in a special event where leading actor Michael Shannon joins Oppenheimer to discuss the radical re-think needed for effective climate action.
Oppenheimer’s post-apocalyptic musical drama spins an urgent and unforgettable tale of self-delusion amidst catastrophe. Michael Shannon plays a former oil tycoon trapped in a palatial bunker with his family (played by Tilda Swinton and George MacKay (“1917”)) for years after the environmental collapse of the Earth, who spends his days writing a revisionist memoir of his time in the energy business.
Oppenheimer said; “The End is about love. It’s a prescient warning about our ability to lie to ourselves, and how self-deception undermines our capacity to protect and cherish both the people we love and the world we bequeath to our children.”
The Davos side-event featuring The End will address how we can collectively counter climate deception to recognise we still have a chance to save the planet.
This high-level event is hosted by Doconomy in partnership with Think-Film Impact Production, MUBI, and Follow This, at Arctic Basecamp on 21st January 2025 at 17:00-18:00, as part of the venue’s programme on culture, science and power. Founder & CEO of Think-Film Impact Production Danielle Turkov Wilson also joins the panel with Shannon and Oppenheimer, to be moderated by Silvia Pavoni, Editor in Chief of The Banker, a Financial Times Group publication.
Encouraging fossil fuel executives at Davos in particular to watch The End and take note, Shannon said; “We’re at Davos with some of the biggest policymakers in the world, and I’m trying to understand what they’re actually planning to do for the future of our planet. The people here are among the most powerful in the world, making decisions for the rest of us. These are the people who need to watch The End, to understand their own power, to reflect on how they justify their actions to themselves and the ones they love. The End is a warning sign, loud and clear – for these individuals specifically.”
Spearheading the impact campaign around The End, which is urging Big Oil to take responsibility for climate deception by actions such as financing the UN’s loss and damage fund, Turkov Wilson said, “The End provokes us all to reflect on, and call out, the lies we tell ourselves. Reconfiguring our thought processes is crucial to ensure we stand up to make a difference and prevent environmental collapse.”
Follow This CEO Mark van Baal added: “We hope oil major CEOs realise they could be the protagonists of this disaster movie and take bold and brave decisions today to prevent a future as pictured in this movie.” In support of the film’s impact campaign and capitalising on this moment with the film in Davos, Follow This are encouraging fossil fuel shareholders to join their network and become part of the movement of change from within.
The End Davos panel with Michael Shannon and Joshua Oppenheimer will be live-streamed for global audiences here.
The End is released in theaters in Germany on 27th March 2025 and the UK on 28th March 2025 by MUBI. Further international releases are planned throughout 2025.
The film was released by NEON in the US on December 6th, 2024 and is available to rent and own in the US.
Contact:
Think-Film Impact Production
Notes:
About World Economic Forum and Doconomy
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum will focus on unlocking the opportunities presented by new technologies and their far-reaching implications for decision-making and global partnerships. Continuing its tradition, this premier platform will bring together over 100 governments, major international organizations, the 1,000 most influential global companies, key civil society and academic institutions, and the global media to foster public-private cooperation at the highest level.
As part of this pivotal event, Doconomy will host “Stage of Impact“, in collaboration with carefully selected partners, to create a vibrant space for the exchange of insights and innovative ideas. This collaborative forum is designed to advance the sustainable finance agenda, spotlighting groundbreaking initiatives that will shape the future of responsible financial practices and drive meaningful global impact.
About Think-Film Impact Production
Think-Film Impact Production is a multi-award-winning impact media company with specialist expertise at the intersection of art and social change. We partner with independent feature documentary and fiction storytellers across Europe and internationally to advance social justice at the highest levels of international policy and governance. Credits include Navalny, Black Box Diaries, Io Capitano, Democracy Noir, The Cave, The Territory, Invisible Nation, iHuman.
About MUBI
MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.
MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films by visionary filmmakers. From iconic directors to emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.
Founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, MUBI is the biggest community of film lovers, anywhere. Available across 190 countries, with more than 16 million members around the world. MUBI acquired renowned sales agent and production company The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions in January 2022, and a majority stake in leading Benelux film distributor Cinéart in February 2024.
About Follow This
Follow This is a grassroots organisation of green shareholders in Big Oil, based in Amsterdam. Climate change is a problem we can solve, if Big Oil puts its brains and billions in clean energy. We believe shareholders can be a force for good, as they ultimately decide on a company’s course. Follow This changes the system by entering it. We empower shareholders to vote for change at Big Oil shareholders’ meetings (AGM). We do so by filing AGM resolutions that put climate action on the ballot. Our Mission is that Big Oil put their brains and billions in clean energy. This is essential for tackling the climate crisis. Follow This is an association with shares in fossil fuel companies such as Shell, BP and TotalEnergies. Members are via Follow This green shareholders in Big Oil.
