Bring Your Own Brigade

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2:23

Bring Your Own Brigade

R

Released Aug 6, 2021

2h 7m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

100%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In early November 2018, raging wildfires killed 88 residents and destroyed tens of thousands of homes in the cities of Malibu and Paradise, two very different California communities. In her new verité documentary, two-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker captures the heroism and horror of that unfathomable disaster. Her character-driven exposé, Bring Your Own Brigade, also answers a question humanity can no longer afford to ignore: Why are catastrophic wildfires increasing in number and severity around the world, and can anything be done to lessen the staggering death and destruction they cause? Drawing on hundreds of hours of astonishing wildfire footage and featuring interviews with survivors, firefighters and scientists, the film reveals that short of solving global warming there are numerous, often simple steps that can be taken to not only mitigate the catastrophic devastation caused by wildfires, but restore health and balance to woodlands that have been mismanaged for far too long. But does society have what it takes to put aside short-term interests and outmoded thinking to confront a crisis that's quite literally burning our world to the ground?

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

This film is often captivating and enthralling... But I don't know what I'm supposed to take from all this.

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

A detailed piece of work, a surprising angle on a terrifying new reality about living in certain parts of the world, and an inquiry as to whether or not we're going to do anything about it.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 6, 2021

Full Review

William Bibbiani

TheWrap

More than willing to force you into these nightmare scenarios, burning down the audience's emotional defenses to convey the gravitas and immediacy of these ongoing, escalating disasters.

Aug 5, 2021

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

An important, science-filled, examination of two California megafires and what we can learn from them about forest management.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 5, 2022

Full Review

Daniel Gorman

In Review Online

While occasionally unfocused, Walker deftly navigates a tangled melange of tangential threads that eventually coalesce into a tapestry of human suffering.

Nov 23, 2021

Full Review

Ricardo Gallegos

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Despite brushing over some important themes, creates a thoughtful examination of both human stubbornness and fragility.

Rated: 7.5/10

Nov 14, 2021

Full Review

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Geke g

Lucy Walker. The creator of high level documentaries

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Really detailed and crucial movie. Liked the honesty 👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/24

Full Review

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Lucy Walker

Director

Lucy Walker

Writer

Lucy Walker

Producer

Julian Cautherley

Producer

Holly Becker

Producer

Lyn Davis Lear

Producer

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Bring Your Own Brigade: Trailer 1

2:23

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Synopsis

In early November 2018, raging wildfires killed 88 residents and destroyed tens of thousands of homes in the cities of Malibu and Paradise, two very different California communities. In her new verité documentary, two-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker captures the heroism and horror of that unfathomable disaster. Her character-driven exposé, Bring Your Own Brigade, also answers a question humanity can no longer afford to ignore: Why are catastrophic wildfires increasing in number and severity around the world, and can anything be done to lessen the staggering death and destruction they cause? Drawing on hundreds of hours of astonishing wildfire footage and featuring interviews with survivors, firefighters and scientists, the film reveals that short of solving global warming there are numerous, often simple steps that can be taken to not only mitigate the catastrophic devastation caused by wildfires, but restore health and balance to woodlands that have been mismanaged for far too long. But does society have what it takes to put aside short-term interests and outmoded thinking to confront a crisis that's quite literally burning our world to the ground?

Director: Lucy Walker
Producer: Lucy Walker, Julian Cautherley, Holly Becker, Lyn Davis Lear, Martha Mitchell
Screenwriter: Lucy Walker
Distributor: CBSN Films
Production Co: XTR, Artemis Rising Foundation, Tree Tree Tree, Topic Studios
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 2021, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.3K
Runtime: 2h 7m

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