Donna Haraway: Story Telling for Earthly Survival is a 2016 documentary film that centers on the life and work of Donna Haraway, a feminist philosopher and biologist. The film is directed by Belgian filmmaker Fabrizio Terranova and was produced by the activist collective, Claire & The Belgian Network. This film is a journey into the world of Donna Haraway - a scholar, activist, writer, and professor emerita in the History of Consciousness Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The film follows Haraway's intellectual and political trajectory from the 1970s to the present day, weaving together several of her most notable works into a virtual roadmap of her intellectual output.
Donna Haraway is known for introducing the concept of the cyborg into feminist theory, which she wrote about in her groundbreaking essay "A Cyborg Manifesto." In this document, Haraway argued that we are all already cyborgs, as we are "hybrids of machine and organism" made up of flesh and technology. This essay and her other work revolutionized feminist and posthumanist thought.
The documentary also features interviews with Haraway's colleagues, friends, and students, who share their personal anecdotes and perspectives on her work. We see Haraway speaking at various events, giving lectures, and interacting with her students.
The film's title, "Story Telling for Earthly Survival," reveals the documentary's overall purpose: to tell a story about how Donna Haraway's ideas are relevant for today's political, ecological, and technological crises. These ideas encompass a wide range of topics, from feminist theory and animal studies to environmentalism and posthumanism.
One of the most powerful themes in the documentary is Haraway's call for us to become "response-able" - that is, to recognize that we are all connected and hold responsibility for each other and the planet. The film highlights Haraway's affinity for non-human entities, such as animals and machines, which she sees as co-inhabitants of the earth.
The film also explores the intersection of Haraway's work with other fields, such as science fiction, art, and activism. We see interviews with science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin, who praises Haraway's ability to blur the boundaries between different genres and categories. We also see clips of art installations inspired by Haraway's writings, such as the "Invertebrate Love" exhibit by Canadian artist Emily Jan.
Donna Haraway: Story Telling for Earthly Survival ultimately shows us not only Haraway's ideas but also how they can be applied to contemporary political and ecological issues. The film succeeds in conveying the urgency of Haraway's thinking and her commitment to fighting against the forces that threaten our planet's survival.
The documentary's strength lies in how it presents Haraway as a multifaceted individual, rather than just a scholar. We see her out in nature with her dogs, laughing and joking with her students, and attending political protests. We also see her grappling with difficult personal experiences, such as the loss of her husband and the difficulty of living in a world that often seems so hostile.
In conclusion, Donna Haraway: Story Telling for Earthly Survival is a thought-provoking and engaging documentary that sheds light on the thinking of a feminist philosopher and biologist whose ideas continue to influence scholars and activists around the world. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in feminist theory, posthumanism, and environmental issues.
Donna Haraway: Story Telling for Earthly Survival is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.
