Director Lee Isaac Chung addresses criticism that his new film, "Twisters," a sequel to the 1996 hit film about storm chasers, fails to explicitly address climate change. Chung explains his reasoning for avoiding a hard-hitting climate message, while acknowledging the reality of the changing weather patterns.
Director Lee Isaac Chung has defended his decision not to include a direct message about climate change in his new film, "Twisters," which follows storm chasers facing unusually powerful and destructive tornadoes. The film, a sequel to the 1996 hit starring Helen Hunt and the late Bill Paxton, has drawn criticism for allegedly shying away from the connection between extreme weather events and climate change.
Twisters Director Defends Climate Change Message Avoidance
In a recent interview with CNN, Chung explained that he wanted to avoid "preaching a message" and instead focus on the human experience of facing natural disasters like tornadoes. "I think what we are doing is showing the reality of what's happening on the ground ... we don't shy away from saying that things are changing," he said.
Some media outlets have criticized Chung's approach, arguing that the film missed an opportunity to raise awareness about the link between climate change and increasingly severe weather patterns. The Verge's Charles Pulliam-Moore wrote, "[W]hen you consider how scientists have found that the conditions that create tornado-producing storms are more likely in a warming world, 'Twisters'' avoidance of the phrase 'climate change' feels like shying away and then some."
Twisters Director Defends Climate Change Message Avoidance
However, Chung maintains that his film is not intended to be didactic but rather a reflection of the real world. "I think it should be a reflection of the world," he said of cinema.
Actor Glen Powell, who stars in "Twisters," echoed Chung's sentiments, rejecting the idea that the film should send a political message. "First and foremost, because if you're telling people what to think, you're not allowing them to feel. You can't put people into that heightened state if they're thinking, 'Hmm, do I or do I not agree with this message?'" he recently told The Telegraph.
Twisters Director Defends Climate Change Message Avoidance
Progressive groups have been pushing Hollywood to incorporate more messages about climate change into entertainment. A recent study suggested that movies and television shows should include at least one line about climate change in the dialogue to acknowledge its reality.
Chung's decision not to explicitly address climate change in "Twisters" has sparked a debate about the role of entertainment in addressing social and environmental issues. Some argue that films have a responsibility to raise awareness, while others believe that their primary purpose is to entertain and reflect human experiences. Ultimately, the impact of "Twisters" will depend on how audiences interpret and engage with the film's portrayal of extreme weather events and the human response to natural disasters.
Despite the ongoing debate, "Twisters" has received positive reviews for its thrilling action sequences and emotional storytelling. The film stars Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos, and Dichen Lachman as a group of storm chasers who put their lives on the line to capture footage of unprecedented tornadoes.
