Nov 16, 2025
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‘Rollbacks’ Dramatizes the Assault On Earth
by Doniphan Blair
A shot of the Paradise Fire, which shocked California in 2018, from the new film 'Rollbacks'. photo: unknownAS CALIFORNIA IS BEING RAVISHED BY
yet another year of out-of-control fires, how well we communicate the issues confronting us has become a question of life or death.
While all news organizations are doing general surveys, what is needed are dramatic pieces that punch all the buttons: facts, feeling, intense imagery and heroic humans, essentially a compelling update of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006).
“Rollbacks: Assault Against Life On Earth” does exactly that. Recently released by Old Dog Documentaries on a pro bono basis, it features a taut and frightening but ultimately hopeful thirty minutes, which can be viewed here.
“Our greatest challenge today is shifting from the incremental efforts—which are no longer enough—to a massive mobilization,” I was told by John Ankele, who created “Rollbacks” with his Old Dog Documentaries partner, Anne Macksoud, also on our conference call. They were inspired by Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist, he said.
“The tipping point is fast approaching,” Ankele added. “Our scope and speed are now mission critical.”
“Rollbacks”, as the title suggests, focuses on the Trump administration’s efforts to reverse Obama-era policies, from the Paris Agreement, which was signed by 195 nations and proffered the possibility of timely action, to coal and car regulations. Indeed, rollback is one campaign promise Trump has not failed to deliver.
“Rollbacks” reveals through scenes of drought, wildfires, hurricanes and floods how successful Trump and his minions, inside government and world-wide, have been. Not only are they denying scientific projections as “fake news,” they’re dismantling agencies, promoting fossil fuels and undermining any attempt to protect the planet.
Immigrants at the Texas border, forced out of their livelihoods in Central America by the climate crisis. photo: John Carlos FreyMacksoud and Ankele teamed up almost 35 years ago based on their shared interest in films that inspire both dialogue and action. Based in New York City and Vermont, they have done 22 major projects, often dealing with spirituality, ecology and alternative sexual identities, most shown on PBS.
Before transitioning to film/video, Macksoud spent 17 years as a nun and educator, teaching literature, photography and music. Once she discovered the “eye-opening” power of documentaries, she started showing them to her students and helping them make their own, often about civil rights or the Vietnam War.
Also with a background in theology, Ankele started in radio and TV in the ‘60s with a similar focus on social consciousness. Moving to southern Africa, he worked for various independence struggles and helped provide media training to political activists. He went on to make radio and TV documentaries about Africa’s “prophet healers,” underground churches in China and women’s empowerment in India, among other subjects.
Their recent film, “The Wisdom to Survive”, covers thinkers and activists in the science, economics and spirituality space, who address how we can evolve fast enough to take effective action against climate disruption.
One of their favorites among their earlier films is “Grow Old Along with Me”, from 1993. A one-hour piece, it was originally a PBS special which looked at the power of poetry and aging with dignity, featuring James Earl Jones, Hume Cronyn and a number of other notables.
Another powerful piece in their portfolio is “The Global Banquet: The Politics of Food” (2000), which critiques how the corporate control of food threatens small farmers in the US and is fueling starvation world-wide, despite a food glut.
“We are two ‘old dogs’ who are saddened by the suffering we see all around us and are moved to take action,” Macksoud said in our discussion. “Since 1985, we have produced and directed documentary films about the complexities of our collective challenges.”
Bonobo chimp, one of the innumerable species whose habitat are threatened by the climate crisis. photo: unknown“Well, the climate crisis is the ultimate example of that.”
“Our political leaders cannot solve the problems of our time alone,” she continued. “They are too beholden to privileged, powerful constituencies, who want to preserve the status quo. Change must start with ordinary people. We have the will, the resourcefulness AND the compassion to come up with new solutions!”
“From the fires of California to the flooding in Venice, we are seeing the impact of Trump’s denial and policy terminations," Ankele said. "It is causing other countries to slacken their commitments to renewables and restricting fossil fuel use.”
“If the world’s richest country and greatest polluter sees no need to save its coastal cities, forests or croplands, why should they?”
The film can be streamed from the Old Dog homepage, by clicking on the Rollbacks image. They also provide an excellent “Take Action” plan, which details how to get involved in local groups, national organizations and global movements, and a downloadable “Discussion Guide” for getting the most out of a viewings.
Even as we see our situation getting more desperate, “Rollbacks” shows signs of hope: the growing global environmental movement, populated by people standing up against big business and the politicians who support them.
“Rollbacks” is the first piece Old Dog has done on a donation basis. They decided to make it available free to better reach their intended audience of students, parents, academics, nonprofit organizations, faith leaders and climate activists but also non-activists—anyone who wants a clear, concise view of the forces we’re up against.
The animated burning earth by Leo Murray makes 'Rollbacks' easier to understand by younger viewers. illustration: L. Murray“We offer our films as catalysts for this kind of solution—as tools for education and activism,” Ankele said. “We invite you to watch and share them.”
“We are also happy to answer questions and provide additional resource materials,” Macksoud added. “We would also love to hear suggestions of ways of using our films that will support other people’s efforts to protect this world we share.”
Macksoud and Ankele can be reached at .
Doniphan Blair is a writer, film magazine publisher, designer, musician and filmmaker ('Our Holocaust Vacation'), who can be reached .
Posted on Nov 19, 2019 - 01:29 AM
by Doniphan Blair
A shot of the Paradise Fire, which shocked California in 2018, from the new film 'Rollbacks'. photo: unknownyet another year of out-of-control fires, how well we communicate the issues confronting us has become a question of life or death.
While all news organizations are doing general surveys, what is needed are dramatic pieces that punch all the buttons: facts, feeling, intense imagery and heroic humans, essentially a compelling update of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006).
“Rollbacks: Assault Against Life On Earth” does exactly that. Recently released by Old Dog Documentaries on a pro bono basis, it features a taut and frightening but ultimately hopeful thirty minutes, which can be viewed here.
“Our greatest challenge today is shifting from the incremental efforts—which are no longer enough—to a massive mobilization,” I was told by John Ankele, who created “Rollbacks” with his Old Dog Documentaries partner, Anne Macksoud, also on our conference call. They were inspired by Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist, he said.
“The tipping point is fast approaching,” Ankele added. “Our scope and speed are now mission critical.”
“Rollbacks”, as the title suggests, focuses on the Trump administration’s efforts to reverse Obama-era policies, from the Paris Agreement, which was signed by 195 nations and proffered the possibility of timely action, to coal and car regulations. Indeed, rollback is one campaign promise Trump has not failed to deliver.
“Rollbacks” reveals through scenes of drought, wildfires, hurricanes and floods how successful Trump and his minions, inside government and world-wide, have been. Not only are they denying scientific projections as “fake news,” they’re dismantling agencies, promoting fossil fuels and undermining any attempt to protect the planet.
Immigrants at the Texas border, forced out of their livelihoods in Central America by the climate crisis. photo: John Carlos FreyBefore transitioning to film/video, Macksoud spent 17 years as a nun and educator, teaching literature, photography and music. Once she discovered the “eye-opening” power of documentaries, she started showing them to her students and helping them make their own, often about civil rights or the Vietnam War.
Also with a background in theology, Ankele started in radio and TV in the ‘60s with a similar focus on social consciousness. Moving to southern Africa, he worked for various independence struggles and helped provide media training to political activists. He went on to make radio and TV documentaries about Africa’s “prophet healers,” underground churches in China and women’s empowerment in India, among other subjects.
Their recent film, “The Wisdom to Survive”, covers thinkers and activists in the science, economics and spirituality space, who address how we can evolve fast enough to take effective action against climate disruption.
One of their favorites among their earlier films is “Grow Old Along with Me”, from 1993. A one-hour piece, it was originally a PBS special which looked at the power of poetry and aging with dignity, featuring James Earl Jones, Hume Cronyn and a number of other notables.
Another powerful piece in their portfolio is “The Global Banquet: The Politics of Food” (2000), which critiques how the corporate control of food threatens small farmers in the US and is fueling starvation world-wide, despite a food glut.
“We are two ‘old dogs’ who are saddened by the suffering we see all around us and are moved to take action,” Macksoud said in our discussion. “Since 1985, we have produced and directed documentary films about the complexities of our collective challenges.”
Bonobo chimp, one of the innumerable species whose habitat are threatened by the climate crisis. photo: unknown“Our political leaders cannot solve the problems of our time alone,” she continued. “They are too beholden to privileged, powerful constituencies, who want to preserve the status quo. Change must start with ordinary people. We have the will, the resourcefulness AND the compassion to come up with new solutions!”
“From the fires of California to the flooding in Venice, we are seeing the impact of Trump’s denial and policy terminations," Ankele said. "It is causing other countries to slacken their commitments to renewables and restricting fossil fuel use.”
“If the world’s richest country and greatest polluter sees no need to save its coastal cities, forests or croplands, why should they?”
The film can be streamed from the Old Dog homepage, by clicking on the Rollbacks image. They also provide an excellent “Take Action” plan, which details how to get involved in local groups, national organizations and global movements, and a downloadable “Discussion Guide” for getting the most out of a viewings.
Even as we see our situation getting more desperate, “Rollbacks” shows signs of hope: the growing global environmental movement, populated by people standing up against big business and the politicians who support them.
“Rollbacks” is the first piece Old Dog has done on a donation basis. They decided to make it available free to better reach their intended audience of students, parents, academics, nonprofit organizations, faith leaders and climate activists but also non-activists—anyone who wants a clear, concise view of the forces we’re up against.
The animated burning earth by Leo Murray makes 'Rollbacks' easier to understand by younger viewers. illustration: L. Murray“We are also happy to answer questions and provide additional resource materials,” Macksoud added. “We would also love to hear suggestions of ways of using our films that will support other people’s efforts to protect this world we share.”
Macksoud and Ankele can be reached at .
Doniphan Blair is a writer, film magazine publisher, designer, musician and filmmaker ('Our Holocaust Vacation'), who can be reached .
Posted on Nov 19, 2019 - 01:29 AM
