Critical Discourse Analysis on Climate Change: Analyzing Hollywood Film "How to Blow Up a Pipeline"

Abstract

To analyze Climate Change (CC) in films, this study uses Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine the film "How to Blow Up a Pipeline". It is based on the book "How to Blow Up a Pipeline: Learning to Fight in a World on Fire" by Andreas Malm, suggesting violent approaches to address CC. Based on Van Dijk’s concept of CDA, the study examines the use of vocabulary and pragmatic contexts by focusing on lexical choices, rhetorical devices, syntax, intertextuality, the identities and goals of the filmmakers, the intended audience, and the socio-cultural and historical contexts that influence audience understanding. The analysis is conducted across the film's three acts. Findings reveal the portrayal of violence as a means to draw attention to the urgency of CC. Filmmakers do not explicitly endorse such actions but the film intends to spark conversation on the violent actions.