Deep in the breathtaking rainforests of Indonesia, an existential battle rages, to save Earth’s third-largest tropical rainforest from massive destruction caused by the palm oil boom, and with it, the future of the planet. This visually stunning, emotionally unsettling documentary captures the passion and purpose of Native people battling multinational corporations to save their homeland. Disturbing scenes reveal how illegal logging for the world’s most sought-after vegetable oil takes a devastating toll on lives and our planet’s climate. Filmed over nine years with a mostly Indonesian crew, David Booth Gardner captures activists overwhelmed by the race to save their lush jungles and endangered tigers, rhinos, elephants, and orangutans from smuggling, poaching, and the displacement of villagers, all under the watch of hovering drones. Inspiring and unnerving, this doc opens our eyes to these faraway battles, encouraging us all to lean in, speak up, and get involved in fighting corporate depredation for our global consumption. Executive produced by Louie Psihoyos (The Cove) and produced by the Oceanic Preservation Society. —Brendan Peterson
David Booth Gardner, a two-time Emmy Award Nominee, brings over two decades of storytelling experience to documentary and television production. A graduate of UCLA's School of Theatre, Film and Television (MFA), he has produced, written, and directed a variety of content for major networks including FOX, NBC, CBS, NFL Network, Revolt, BET, and TV One. His recent work focuses on urgent social and environmental issues and includes Walking with Rhinos (2019), the series Town on Fire (2024), and The Last Place on Earth (2026), shot over eight years in Indonesia's Leuser Ecosystem. Through these films, David forges emotional connections between viewers and endangered ecosystems, inspiring action for environmental preservation.
DAVID BOOTH GARDNER: Director
SAMARA STEIN: Producer
LOUIE PSIHOYOS: Producer