Light it before it burns
Zapalme, než to shoří
Czech Republic / 90 min / Czech, German, English, Portuguese
Documentary
Light it before it burns
Zapalme, než to shoří
Czech Republic / 90 min / Czech, German, English, Portuguese
Documentary
An ecologist wants to use fire to protect the environment. Is there method in his madness? How fire can be a positive tool in our era of global warming and symbol for both renewal and societal change
Light It Before It Burns explores fire as both a destructive force and a tool for renewal. Sparked by a 2022 wildfire in Czech and Saxon Switzerland, the film follows four perspectives: a biologist advocating controlled burns, a paleoecologist offering historical insight, a politician navigating reform, and a philosopher reflecting on fire's symbolism. Visually striking and thought-provoking, the documentary spans Europe and Africa, examining fire's ecological role, political hurdles, and deeper meaning. Set across four seasons, it challenges us to rethink our relationship with nature and whether we can change in time to protect it.
Dop / Matěj Piňoš Editor / Jan Daňhel Sound / Miroslav Chaloupka Writer / Markéta Ekrt Válková
Completion date / April 2026