Premiere Date: July 17, 2007
Synopsis
A decade ago, after an epiphany at a New York restaurant, Richard Ogust began dedicating his time and resources to rescuing endangered turtles — confiscating hundreds bound for Southeast Asian food markets. When the filmmakers catch up with the 50-year-old writer, he is sharing his Manhattan loft with 1,200 turtles, including five species extinct in the wild. But his growing "ark" and preservation efforts are threatening to exhaust him, both mentally and financially. With luminous images and a haunting musical score, the award-winning The Chances of the World Changing documents two years in the life of a man who finds himself struggling to save hundreds of lives, including his own.
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Film Update
July 12, 2007
Critical Acclaim
[An] eccentric and fascinating tale... Ultimately, in this film about an all-consuming obsession, we're gently reminded that change is possible if only someone tries.”
— Florangela Davila, Seattle Times
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Reviews & Reactions
Average Review
| based on 6 reviews
Excellent
I really enjoyed this film. It was well documented and filmed, the music was wonderful and the story truly heartbreaking. Richard is a captivating person with lofty and admirable goals and I wish him success.
by LittleLovables
June 18, 2009, 6:52 PM
Simple Women
I just watched the documentary "The Chances of the World Changing". It touched my heart. I cryed trough this heartbreaking story. The Richard Ogust is an amasing person with Larger than life heart. I would liek to Thank the Eric Daniel Metzgar personally for making this film and deliver it to us liek it is. I relaly did not know much how hard people work to save Ocean Life from extinction before I watched this film. This is Shame that the Government and the State Burro created problems and did not help a bit with helping to save importated Turtles. This is where the Tax Payers Dollar should go! Instead they spend Billions of $$$$ for Wars and pay themselves triple salaries and too much Overtime $$$ to their own paycheck from the Taxpayer Dollars...
The Turtles are amasingly cool and beautiful Earth Creatures.People we all have to connect in order to save turtles and ocean life from the extinction. It is obvious than it is not responsibility of certain group or particular person to do that by themselves!
Richard I love You!
by Yuliya Mccarty
July 9, 2009, 9:22 PM
Alternative Spaces for Ogust's Turtles
Did he contact the Museum of Natural History? I'm wondering if a zoo or museum or sanctuary had the space, that Ogust could have gone on doing what he was already do in caring for/feeding all these turtles. Its not like the museum or zoo or sanctuary would have to pay him to take care of these turtles or to feed them, as he'd go on doing what he doing in his loft. All he'd need is a large space with lots of electrical outlets, Plus, it could have then been a feature at whatever nonprofit place agreed to house these thousand or so turtles. Greenspaces in Brooklyn(33 Flatbush ave) has large rooms. But a Nature Museum or zoo would be best. It could be a win/win situation. He'd get his space and continue to care for/feed/take in turtles, and there could be certain days that a fee is charged for the public to view his collection, that the nonprofit would reap reward for. I wish Ogust could get his entire turtle collection back and do this.
by Str!ngbean
August 23, 2009, 10:51 AM
I felt as if I was watching angels during the end of the world. The turtles were beautiful angels, symbols of peace, that can only live when good exists, and slip out of life when their gentle environment is gone (or if humans decide to eat them all).
My heart connected with Richard. I spend my days trying to rescue rare species of plants and I have a rare species of bird I'm trying to save. My eco-depression and eco-anxiety are my constant companions. I'm forced to choose a life of preserving any part of the earth I can, because if I don't, who will? It is a sad state of affairs that private citizens are the only ones who are saving the angels and faires (other species on this planet) we share this earth with. I'm dissapointed that our government acted so replorably in this situation. They will hear from me!
by Rachael Montague from Boulder Creek, CA
September 22, 2009, 12:31 PM
Thanks for the good info...very good blog site.
by Website Traffic
September 24, 2009, 5:59 AM
Where is he now??
Is there any update on Richard, or even his turtles? After all these years, I would like the peace of mind that a man so wonderful as Richard has been able to pick him self up and continue on with his passion.
by Cfox from Iowa city, IA
November 7, 2009, 12:00 AM