For a film about birds flying, Winged Migration is one of the most memorizing and choreographed pieces of documentation ever conceived. As a product of human accomplishment, it showcases the much more amazing accomplishments of the natural world. The yearly migration of millions of birds from across the world is captured in unprecedented intimacy and detail. It will likely stand as a supreme document of the natural world and shall remain long after many of its subjects have perished.
The film opens on a river. It is surrounded by lush greenery only moments after being assaulted by driving snow. The time-lapse reveals a flock of geese about to commence the titular narrative. One remains behind, its foot caught in a fishing net, but is saved by a young boy. It is one of the minor points of misfortune in the film. The human element, already inherent in the existence of the film, is unnecessary in its content. Save for the moments of destruction, hunting and oil spills, the birds remain detached from the Homo sapien confines. For some reason, and perhaps providing a point of connection that for many makes the film worth watching, the filmmakers felt the need to include us. Regardless, and only aided by the carefully chosen soundtrack, we identify the human characteristics present in the birds, their social and personal behaviors, and ascribe them to ourselves. It should be no point of contention that we are part of the animal world, and like the bird that devours the young of its fellow avian, we have stamped our own brand of destruction upon their world.
Verbal description cannot account for the magnificence of the wildlife cinematography found here. No sarcasm intended. An almost never-ending stream aerial shots follow the birds as they traverse all manner of impressive landscapes. The logistics of such shots are mildly mind-boggling and 9 years later it seems more conceivable that the flying forms are superimposed above a textured landscape. This is not the case, and save for a few poorly envisioned and detrimental computer creations, the film is a subjective and envious testament to the wonders of flying. I cannot imagine the shooting ratio demanded for such a film. The countless hours of avian behavior is filed down to the best and most stunning compositions. And as empty as these words sound, the pictures are far from. Part cinematic appreciation part personal realization- I will never look at birds the same and my growing appreciation has exponentially increased.
This film pre-supposes the later creation of March of the Penguins, which was muddled by a sentimental narration. This film uses the human voice only sparsely and lets the visuals speak for themselves. It had been the director’s intention to include the emperor penguin. Weather got in the way. It is worth noting, apparently as an afterthought, the human interaction of the film. Eggs were exposed to camera crew noises so as the tame the birds to their presence. An injured Tern was rescued from hungry crabs despite the onscreen suggestion that they had captured the bird as food. Even in a film as beautiful and successful as this, it seems we are unable to objectively document the world around us. But since we are part of that world, perhaps that is ok.
It was a decent film. Mesmerizing and enchanting as you described. It somehow kept my attention for the entire hour and a half. The sound design is entirely impressive. Well-worth the watch. There are some down points, like the fact that these birds were trained to fly with the cameramen instead of natural birds... and the CG! what an awful inclusion. Otherwise, as beautiful and exciting as Planet Earth.
ReplyDelete