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Initially, Ozi: Voice of the Forest looks broadly harmless. The new movie is a product of Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way. Regrettably, much like DiCaprio’s environmental record, the film’s narrative doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. While it delivers a powerful political message, the storyline is overly simplistic, failing to align with reality. Greenzar, the film’s villainous corporation, is a palm oil producer. The movie is eager to demonize palm oil, trying to persuade the audience that its production is wreaking havoc on the environment, particularly the habitats of endangered orangutans like Ozi.
However, in truth, palm oil is often considered a success story in terms of sustainability. Global Forest Watch reports a significant reduction in forest loss due to palm oil production. This is particularly true in nations like Malaysia, a leading producer of palm oil, where 83% of palm oil is now produced under a ‘no deforestation’ commitment.
Malaysia has made considerable efforts to demonstrate its dedication to forest conservation. Initiatives include the ‘Greening Malaysia’ campaign, which involves planting 17 million trees, and the establishment of an 800,000-hectare orangutan sanctuary, which is far from the zoo-like depictions seen in Ozi.
The outcomes of this sustainable trend are evident. Over 90% of the palm oil imported into Europe is certified as sustainable, meaning it does not contribute to deforestation. This achievement is not accidental; it is the result of deliberate efforts by both the government and industry to ensure environmentally sustainable palm oil production, driven by global consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
Palm oil is responsible for more than half of the world’s exports of edible oils and fats, while occupying only 0.38% of global agricultural land. Contrary to the narrative presented in Ozi, it is an environmental success story. The creators of Ozi not only overlook these real-world facts but seem to intentionally present the opposite view to their audience.
If filmmakers choose to tackle complex subjects with bold, moralistic messages, it is not unreasonable for viewers to expect them to verify their facts first.
The story centers around Ozi, a young orangutan, as she faces tragedy and battles against evil forces, specifically a ruthless corporation destroying her forest home. Her mission is to reunite with her family and seek justice. The film is unreservedly political, with a clear environmental message at its core.
It’s somewhat ironic that Leonardo DiCaprio, credited as a producer behind the scenes, is associated with such a strong environmental statement. DiCaprio has faced considerable criticism over the years regarding his environmental credentials.
Back in 2016, he was called out for racking up 8,000 miles on his private jet while traveling to accept an environmental award. His luxury yacht, a preferred holiday spot, is believed to consume 300 gallons of diesel every hour and emit 238 kg of carbon dioxide per mile—an amount that would take a typical car two months to produce.
On a positive note, the animation in Ozi is high quality, with vibrant colors and smooth motion. Unfortunately, this is overshadowed by the flawed storytelling.
