Guardians of the Earth: Ecocritical Narratives, Advancing SDG 13 Through Global South Cli-Fi Cinema

Abstract

This paper examines how independent arthouse Climate Fiction (Cli-fi) films from the Global South cinema make climate issues accessible to a global audience. It aims to bridge a gap in traditional climate fiction (cli-fi) stories by giving voice to previously silenced narratives. The ecocritical lens is used to analyze films such as Aluna (2012, Colombia), Anote's Ark (2018, Canada/Kiribati), and Kadvi Hawa (2017, India). This study employs a qualitative method, focusing on thematic, content, and interpretative analysis. The findings suggest that Climate fiction conveys cultural stories in the context of ecological urgency, focusing on climate justice and anthropocentric challenges. The ecocritical inquiry is strengthened by offering enlightenment on themes of slow violence and Socio-Natural Relations. The study finds that Global South cli-fi cinema elicits emotional and intellectual engagement, urging sustainable action and advocating equitable climate interventions. The findings also encourage a greater understanding of how localized stories enrich global climate discourse, particularly in marginalized countries. The result of this project also aligns with SGD 13, which aims to improve education, awareness, and local institutional capacity for climate change hazards’ mitigation and early warning systems.

Keywords: Climate fiction, ecocriticism, Global South, arthouse cinema, climate consciousness, climate justice, SDG 13