Conscientious Protectors: A Story Of Rebellion Against Extinction
Directed by Leigh Bloomfield

THIS is the untold story of how in April 2019 an intrepid, passionate and fearless group of activists, under the umbrella of a new group Extinction Rebellion (ER), occupied key central sites in London for 10 days in the largest civil disobedience of a generation.

They forced the government and the mayor of London to meet and discuss their three demands to avert the climate crisis.

This inspirational film documents the incredible story of how Extinction Rebellion came into being and in only a short while grew into such a large movement that it could take over central London, bringing it to a grinding halt and refusing to leave until its list of demands were met.

The film introduces the founders of the movement and details their audacious plan to hold the metropolis to ransom until the powers that be agree to help avert the impending climate catastrophe.

Director Leigh Broomfield says: “With exclusive access to the Extinction Rebellion movement, this fly on the wall documentary tells their story. It follows key co-founders like market gardener, Roger Hallam, scientist Gail Bradbrook, Stuart Basden and others through the planning and onto the streets.”

The film reveals the inner workings of XR’s decision making, its methods, the stresses and strains. It shows how the movement developed, what its principles and aims are, intercut with short, powerful statements by participants, from pensioners worried about their grandchildren, young people concerned about their future to others of all ages and from all walks of life, who realise they have to act if our planet is to survive.

The documentary brings across all the tension, excitement and trepidation that participants felt. It is an inspirational portrait of people prepared to risk and sacrifice in order to bring about change for the better — defying authority and corporate might with great courage.

XR has now grown to over 200,000 activists. Its biggest challenge will be to maintain the momentum, keep up people’s commitment and their hopes.

While, from the outside, it may at times appear to be perhaps just another hippyish love-fest, it would be a big mistake to dismiss it as such.

Without such courageous individuals, our governments and corporate leaders will remain indifferent and intractable.

Conscientious Protectors: A Story Of Rebellion Against Extinction will be released In UK cinemas on July 25 2022.