The White Planet - a review
September 3rd 2007 05:35
This documentary surprised me; I knew the basic premise of the film and was concerned that the message would be too heavy-handed and hard to digest. The White Planet uses a gentle combination of music and images with intermittent narration to chronicle the fragile and threatened world of the Arctic.
Using the simple, natural beauty of the Arctic to speak for itself, almost silently, it focuses on the ebb and flow of life. While there is much concern about the rapid rate of melting in the area, here we see only the lives of the creatures that thrive and survive in the planet's refrigerator such as polar bears, hooded seals and other various mammals that I knew little about before.
The White Planet visually illustrates how the arctic is a fragile part of the world as a result of climate change. Through these environmental changes, it is in danger of losing its species that rely on their surroundings to exist. This is a part of our world ruled by the cold and shaped by the sea and winds, ice, vast plains and mountains and glaciers. It is stunning in its serenity.
It’s a collaborative production by Canadian directors Thierry Ragobert & Thierry Piantanida with the participation of Jean Lemire. It’s written by Thierry Piantanida & Stéphane Millière. It’ll be released later this week in Australia. At 80 mins long, it is just the right length.
Instead of talking anymore I might let the following images tell you the story. I’d recommend seeing it at the cinema so that you can fully absorb its tranquillity and scenery.
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Great move letting those stunning images do the talking!
I'm a fan of nature doco's, and I think I might have to check this one out.
Gorgeous!!
Kylie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for that, yes, I thought that seeing as the film didn't rely on words to express its message, then I wouldn't in my post.
Glad you liked it. I think you'll really like the doco if you're a fan of them. I really loved the music in it as well, I think it would be a good soundtrack to get. I might look it up now as I'm thinking of it...
Good to see you,
Byee
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
p/s...I'm a big fan of such docos too. Countless of times I've considered packing it up and joining an expedition to get involved on all levels -- perhaps, one day...
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Love it , love it, love it, and your opening
Absolutely wonderful.
katyzzz
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Totally agree with your assessment, I Saw this one a few months ago for Filmink and will be posting my review once its published in the mag.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I'll definitely be seeing this T.
The Arctic is such an enigmatic part of our world... have always been fascinated by it...
I love the exprssion the Sea Lion's face...and I love Polar Bears...
Beautiful. Thanks for posting these images T...have a lovely night...
Dusk
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
You know this sort of thing is right up my alley... sure... but I have put of seing this one, becuase I thought it might contain many scenes of drowning polar creatures... like the bears; and having seen one such short film already, I couldn't bear to see another bear drowning because of a lack of ice..especially with cubs on her back.
It'd just be too sad and disturbing for me to take... so you'll let me know, right?
Lilla ...
Comment by Nina
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
sorta looks like March Of The Penguins...
I love animal and wildlife movies, and according to your review, this is another good one...
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Louie
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, I know what you mean about thinking of going off on an adventurous trip, I often think the same too....but I can’t imagine I’d ever do it...my backpacking days are done....!
It definitely is a breathtaking film,
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
All your words describe it perfectly, pristine leapt out at me.
I hope you get a chance to see it,
Thanks for your comments.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Byee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That is such an apt way to describe the Arctic...as being enigmatic. It is, and I’ve also always been mesmerised by it.
This is a subtle, peaceful peek into that part of the world; it’s unobtrusive, just how it should be.
Glad you enjoyed the post and pictures,
Byeeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hello Lilla
It’s good to see you. Yes, you would love this film.
There are no graphic, gratuitous disturbing scenes apart from seeing a mammal (can’t remember which one) killing something to eat (which is what animals do). There are definitely no awful scenes like a drowning bear or anything like that; all scenes are subtle creating a feeling of us simply watching a day in their life doing what they do. If there were anything really disturbing it would be etched in my mind. In fact, to me the subtly is its strength, that we don’t need to be shocked into believing what is happening, we can see it through the small changes.
I think you’ll just relish watching it.
Feel free to come back after you’ve seen it to tell me what you think,
Trace
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It is a stunning film, both in atmosphere and visually,
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hello Nick
I can’t believe I haven’t seen March of the Penguins, shame on me!!
I think you will love this one, the scenery expresses it all it needs to say through its presence.
Thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Louie
I think that's exactly right, we're so used to heavy-handed, explicit messages in the media to prove a point that it becomes too scary and overwhelming. It almost causes apathy because a viewer feels there is little they can do or the images are too graphic for them to absorb. I think this is an example of subtly working well...
This film lets the scenery do the work; we just sit back and watch....
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Candice
There are some great docos lately aren't there? My 2 year old daughter loved March of the Penguins. Do you think this one might be good for littlies?
I love the images, they're stunning, and it's great that these docos are coming out. Hopefully, it might help influence change before the Arctic's wiped out.
Thanks for the great review.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Take the time to check out March of the Penguins - Nick's right - you'll probably enjoy it.
Have been out of town for a bit - and haven't even bothered to check - but assume Imax are probably screening this?
MNG
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Nice to see you. Yes, this is a superb doco.
I think it would be fine for your daughter apart from the bit where the bear (I think it’s a bear) eats another animal. It’s not really gory but I don’t know if she’d be disturbed by it. But other than that, I’d say you’d both enjoy the scenery and definitely the animals. Keep an eye out for the hooded seals, they’re huge!!
Yes, hopefully such films might make a difference and help to save the area or at least slow the damage down.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi MNG
How are you feeling? Hope you’ve recovered.
I just checked the Imax website and it’s not listed but it’s not due out until the Thursday this week, so maybe it’ll be on later. It would be amazing to see it there...
Thanks for popping in,
See you later,
Tracy
PS Yes, I must see the Penguins...can't believe I haven't, tut tut...
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Thanks for that run-down... I have put this on the 'to rent' list for next week.
Who said orble was a waste of time?
Lilla ...
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
ooooh I look forward to seeing this... ahhh I think I missed it at the flicks. It doesn`t seem to be on up here. Look forward to seeing it though I love these sorts of films.
I remember seeing something like this at an Imax somewhere on my travels. It was the best hour and a half....
Ash
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It would be brilliant seeing one like this at the Imax. It's not actually out yet, I was lucky and saw a preview, I think it's out on Thurs.
Thanks for popping in, good to see you,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree, who said Orble was a waste of time...I've learnt lots and laughed lots...
It's not out at the cinemas yet, it comes out on Thurs, I was a lucky duck and saw a preview. It's definitely worth seeing on a big screen. It's glorious,
Good to see you, hope you enjoy it,
Tracy