One of the most important environmental documentaries of the last decade, “Before the Flood” introduces many realities that address the debate on climate change and ecological preservation. Leonardo DiCaprio uses his platform to analyze the true nature of climate change, not just as a future issue that must be addressed, but as a present reality that has the ability to permanently shape the world as we truly know it. DiCaprio has long been an advocate for incorporating a more developed approach to understanding and managing climate change, but in this documentary his voice is deeper and more direct than it has been on the issue. Given the platform DiCaprio has, this documentary takes advantage of his name and interest in the issue, allowing him to reach a larger audience needed to facilitate change. The film uses his approach and his name well, using his passion for the topic to draw the audience's attention to the claims he is making about climate change as a whole. Additionally, using DiCaprio as a resource to narrate the story is successful because the film focuses on discussing the problems and presenting them as they happen, rather than showing them with messy graphs or complicated jargon. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In a role he has hardly been seen in before, DiCaprio presents himself as a science journalist, focusing much of his approach in the film on interviews with leading figures in the world of climate control. It discusses many global issues with innovators, researchers and people who reside in areas of the world where climate change is already a serious problem and where the effects can be seen directly, even today. The success of “Before the Flood” lies above all in the way it addresses problems. (Bradshaw, 11) The focus of the film is on current events and disasters and how they are truly affecting the world today, versus displaying graphs and information that allude to the effects. The film illustrates many of the effects in stunning cinematic shots, and as a result, the nature of the threat itself is presented more powerfully. Much of this kind of approach comes from the fact that it was filmed by Fisher Stevens, an Oscar-winning director. and documentary maker, responsible for “The Cove”. (Bradshaw, 12) The focus used by Stevens and DiCaprio is aimed directly at the more modern and younger audience, which is why the film does not directly integrate graphs or a high level of statistical information in general. DiCaprio is an integral figure in modern media, a person with whom many individuals and young people in this genre sincerely resonate due to his high level of involvement with films and other forms of media. He directly uses this level of celebrity he has and his interest in the issue by contributing to the actual conversation himself. (Bradshaw, 14 years old) He chooses to directly interview prominent people in the industry and related to the controversial issue to attract audiences and use the platform he has in a way that appeals to younger audiences across the nation. According to Deadline, in this regard, the film achieved its intended effect. Approximately 50,000 college students attended the screening at universities nationwide, and more than 1,500 requests were made and fulfilled by colleges, religious bodies and climate-related organizations to conduct screening events. (Gerard, 2) Furthermore, the film was atrending topic on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube since its release, largely thanks to DiCaprio's presence as a central figure in the discussion of the issue of climate change itself. As a result of these efforts, the film has been featured at various film festivals across the nation, such as the London Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival. Over 200 universities screened the film in colleges, and approximately 1,000 churches or religious institutions also screened the film. (Gerard, 4) To appeal to this younger audience, the director also chooses to display the intended information and message in a way that is cinematic and engaging. The shots displayed show the changes present across the world, juggling depictions of devastation with interviews and footage of prominent leaders in the discussion. These individuals include Barack Obama, as well as Bill Clinton, Pope Francis, John Kerry, and various NASA researchers and activists. Again, in this regard, another important attribute of DiCaprio's approach is his ability to interview and reach these important public leaders and members of the debate. Given his celebrity status, DiCaprio is able to actively reach and engage people who would otherwise be denied to the common person or researcher. These factors, combined with the approach used by the director and the cinematic characteristics of the film, make it a successful attempt to illustrate how powerful the topic of climate change is in the modern era. Yet, in many ways, this can also be seen as a detriment to the overall impact the documentary wishes to have on the views of the common man. In some ways, the fact that DiCaprio is a celebrity can be seen as a detractor, as it could give people who already disagree with the effects of climate change the platform to dismiss both his views and the documentary itself as some sort of propaganda piece. DiCaprio has even highlighted this in previous interviews on the topic. As he sees it, for those who don't want to see climate change, his apparent sudden interest in the topic may seem like something of a fad. Some critics have pointed to the lack of statistical support throughout the film to highlight the ways in which the issue may be inflated by the director and DiCaprio. (Sagansky, 31) DiCaprio responds to this mentality by making unshakeable statements about the true nature of how harmful climate change could be in general. Overall, DiCaprio's presence on screen creates a scenario where he is elevated to the highest position to discuss the topic with the general public. In many ways, it is in this sense that it is most effective in displaying information. His calm demeanor and emphasis on the facts regarding the topic. Stevens exploits this aspect in many shots and allows DiCaprio the freedom to explore the problem areas that are most affected by the problem, while discussing the conversation in a serious and authentic way. (Sagansky, 30) This presence lends itself to the narrative of the film overall and arguably gives DiCaprio a greater presence in the overall discussion overall. Specifically, his way of approaching interviews with prominent figures on the national scene is such as to exude confidence and ability. Contact with these types of individuals throughout his professional career as an actor and activist gives him the comfort level necessary to approach them in the most efficient way. In particular, the interview with President Barack Obama is extremely effective given the importance of both individuals and the honesty with which they discuss the issue with each other. (Sagansky, 26) It is evident that they have.