Just Do It review

Director Emily James gained exclusive access to the secretive world of two environmental groups, Plane Stupid and Climate Camp, activist networks audaciously executing their plans with a passionate sense of responsibility for the future. Brimming with enthusiastic, dogged persistence and unwavering commitment to the cause, the resulting film explores the dynamics behind direct action.

Among the assorted climate warriors is Sally, a bright young Cambridge student who chains herself to Peter Mandelson’s house and then later to an RBS branch with a bicycle lock round her neck, and domestic extremist Marina who champions the very British necessity of a brew to keep tensions in check at such events.

Just Do It swiftly bounces from action to action, across the UK and over to Denmark, with jubilant rebellion and a DIY style that reflects the rapidity required to put a cog in the system before the authorities clamp down. Creating chaos with mass civil disobedience the activists achieve minor triumphs like ‘de-arresting’, where one individual is caught by a police officer and bellows “DE-ARREST!” before everyone clusters into a tug of war to free the captive.

Shocking footage of police force and moronic press coverage is illuminated with affable narration, hoping the police will behave themselves – but the tragic clip of Ian Tomlinson’s death gravely demonstrates the real threat.

Although the activists are slightly stumped by the question of futility, teetering on fully-fledged silliness – it is hard not to laugh at people with earnest, adrenalin-riddled faces attempting to canoe backwards up the stairs of some corporate building like there’s no tomorrow – their utter lack of self-consciousness is refreshing and the positive effect on local communities elucidates their efforts. Proactively taking matters into one’s own hands is the message, although the financial sources that enable living as a full-time outlaw remain uncharted.

Nevertheless, Just Do It is compelling for the urgency, eccentricity and imagination that goes into the intricate planning of these actions, and the grievous dangers of undermining armed forces, who can always cry ‘riot!’ – elbow-deep in batons and shields.