Earth's Urgent Wake-Up: Revisiting Yann Arthus-Bertrand's Home
- 20somethingmedia
- Apr 28
- 1 min read
"Home," the acclaimed 2009 documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, offers a breathtaking aerial tour of Earth, blending stunning visuals with a urgent environmental message. This free film, released simultaneously worldwide on June 5, 2009, in cinemas, on DVD, and YouTube, shattered records by launching in 50 countries at once.
Visual Storytelling
Shot over 217 days in 54 countries and 120 locations, the 1-hour-58-minute feature relies entirely on aerial footage to showcase planetary diversity—from lush ecosystems to urban sprawl. Narrated by Glenn Close in English (with versions by Salma Hayek in Spanish and others), it contrasts nature's wonders with humanity's ecological footprint, like deforestation and resource depletion. Produced by Luc Besson and financed by Kering, it earned an 8.5/10 IMDb rating from over 23,000 users for its poetic, non-narrated-first-half impact.
Key Themes
The documentary traces 200,000 years of human progress, highlighting how modern consumption threatens irreversible damage unless reversed soon. It calls viewers to rethink patterns in energy, agriculture, and biodiversity without preaching, using time-lapse sequences for stark before-and-after contrasts. Still relevant in 2026, "Home" inspires action on climate challenges, amassing millions of YouTube views.
Why Watch Now
Freely available online, this visually meditative film pairs well with modern eco-docs like "Planet Earth," urging reflection on our shared "home." Its wordless beauty and Glenn Close's voice make it essential viewing for anyone passionate about sustainability.
[click to view full documentary]
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