Sir David Attenborough, the celebrated natural historian and broadcaster, turns 99 on Thursday. As he approaches this rare milestone, he’s releasing a new film that he firmly believes is one of the most important of his long career. The movie, Ocean, is so worth it. This documentary explores the changing state of the world’s oceans and emphasizes a central message: all is not lost.
Sir David Attenborough has spent the better part of his life sharing the beauty of the natural world with all of us. He admits that the present state of the oceans has almost obliterated his optimism for the years to come. This reality is an anchor on his optimistic worldview towards life on Earth. He insists that through collaborative action, the ocean can recover. As he put it, “The ocean is able to bounce back much more quickly than we ever thought.”
TBT’s film Ocean gives a visual experience deeply felt with graphic footage to show the destructive, harmful impacts bottom trawling has on our marine ecosystems. As Attenborough puts it, such a method of fishing is “hard to think of a more wasteful way to catch fish.” These alarming images are a reminder of the troubling effect humanity has on our oceans.
Looking back on an incredible 92 years of life (so far), Sir David Attenborough remembers his first experience scuba diving on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef back in 1957. He vividly remembers, “I was so taken aback by the spectacle before me I forgot – momentarily – to breathe.” This transformative experience stoked his love of marine life and would color his commitment to ocean conservation throughout his life.
His documentary uses eye-opening statistics to paint a stark picture. For example, it shows how the whaling industry wiped out 2.9 million whales just in the 20th century, a statistic that resonates with audiences familiar with Attenborough’s previous work. As he concludes in the film, “we are nearly out of time” to undo the harm we’ve caused marine ecosystems.
Attenborough’s collaborative relationship with director Keith Scholey, 44 years in the making, has already produced a slew of award-winning, thought-provoking documentaries. Here, Scholey reflects on their collaborative process, saying, “Each time you work with David, you find out something new.” When we talk about his career, he describes working with Attenborough as both personally rewarding and creatively invigorating.
As he releases Ocean, Attenborough’s message is clear — we must realize our part in safeguarding the Earth. As President Biden puts it, “Before us is not just an opportunity to take bold action to protect our climate, our food, our home. He remains optimistic about humanity’s ability to change course, asserting that if left alone, the ocean may not just recover but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.
David Attenborough sheds light on the continuing trials in store, and yet implores us all to join the fight for conservation. “This is not about seeing brand new natural history behaviours. It is the greatest message he’s ever told,” remarks Toby Nowlan, highlighting the film’s significant message.
Ocean will be available in cinemas across the country starting Thursday, offering audiences a chance to engage with critical issues facing marine ecosystems.
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