The FernGully Effect

Outside/In

NHPR

Society & Culture, Documentary, Natural Sciences, Nature, Science

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 17 December 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

When Avatar came out in 2009, it shattered box-office records. And even though it was billed as a sci-fi epic featuring blue aliens on a far-away moon, the movie didn’t shy away from a pretty Earth-based message of environmental conservation. So, with a third Avatar hitting theaters this weekend, we were inspired to bust out the popcorn, dim the lights, and play the part of pop culture critics. How do movies – from blockbusters to documentaries to Disney films – shape our conception of the natural world? Featuring Alyssa Vitale, David Whitley, Salma Monani, and Erin Trahan. SUPPORT To share your questions and feedback with Outside/In, call the show’s hotline and leave us a voicemail. The number is 1-844-GO-OTTER. No question is too serious or too silly. Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In. Follow Outside/In on Instagram and BlueSky, or join our private discussion group on Facebook. LINKS Similar to Avatar, the animation required to pull off Finding Nemo was a technological feat for its time. Here’s a documentary showing you behind the scenes. Listen to all of “Little April Showers” (that catchy tune from Bambi) here. You can find Alyssa Vitale’s movie reviews on her Youtube channel, Mainely Movies. Salma Monani’s academic work within ecocinema extends far beyond that of FernGully. Her faculty page at Gettysburg College can be found here. Find some of Erin Trahan’s recent work on her website, including a recent documentary following Michael Dukakis. You can find David Whitley’s book on Disney animation here. CREDITS Produced by Marina Henke. For full credits, transcript, and a list of movies mentioned in this episode visit outsideinradio.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, this is Outside In, a show where curiosity of the natural world collide.
0:04.8	I'm Nate Hedgy here with Marina Hanke. Hey, Marina.
0:07.7	Hello, Nate. Today, I want to bring you back to a year far, far away, 2009.
0:14.1	Okay.
0:14.4	When a very popular movie hit the big screen.
0:18.9	I'd like to talk to you about a fresh start on a new world.
0:23.1	You'd be making a difference.
0:26.2	We're talking blue people, a moon planet far, far away, and a precious resource not so
0:32.2	subtly called Unobtainium.
0:34.4	Real softball question, Nate Hedgy, what movie is that?
0:37.3	Oh, this is Avatar. I have very,
0:39.1	very distinct memories of watching this with my entire extended family. I remember being really
0:44.0	crazy, the special effects, I was blown away. Grandma, not blown away. Me, very blown away.
0:53.2	So for folks who have not watched Avatar, we've got this former Marine Jake Sully.
0:57.9	He is sent to this faraway moon planet to help his fellow humans extract this very precious
1:03.9	resource. The problem is that they got to get it from the Navi, an indigenous tribe.
1:10.0	Of course, surprise, surprise. Jake falls in love with one of the Navi, an indigenous tribe. Of course, surprise, surprise.
1:11.9	Jake falls in love with one of the Navi and decides to lead the rebellion.
1:17.2	And to your point, I mean, it is a total technological feat when this movie comes out.
1:20.6	There were camera systems that were specially designed to make Avatar happen.
1:25.6	Wow.
1:26.2	A hundred percent paid off.
	...

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