I can’t say enough about the work of Jacques Perrin. The French filmmaker has been making nature documentaries of the highest order since 1996, when “Microcosmos” was released (though unlike films I will mention later in this post he only produced, not directed the film). The film, a triumph of bringing the daily dramas of the small and insectivorous to humans everywhere in gorgeous slow-motion closeups, is still perhaps the best nature documentary I have ever seen. This is so because Jacques Perrin’s documentaries are not only works of science, they are also profound works of art.
Yes, I like this even better than the work of my beloved David Attenborough (though Planet Earth [the David Attenborough version] comes in a close second for my best nature documentary of all time). What sets “Microcosmos” apart is the way that the filmmaker, in a wordless, observational way, connects us to his subjects and their apparent joys and sorrows. That and the famous opera-scored, erotic snail love scene. Run, do not walk, my friends, to see this if you have not.
Then six years later he produced “Winged Migration”, another stunning yet nearly wordless work of art that was an order of magnitude better than the popular favorite “March of the Penguins” released a few years later*. Again he displayed his talent for engaging us emotionally in the lives, struggles, and wonders of being a bird.
Though I still prefer “Microcosmos” (insects are more intriguing to me than most birds), this film has also stuck with me. I’ll never forget the moment when a sage grouse first performed (WARNING: SPOILER. Do not click link if you plan to see the film. Which I hope I have convinced you you should) its mating tupperware burp and Dolly-Parton-inspired ladies’-man dance in the film (clip not from the film but this must be seen to be believed). The whole audience gasped, and then laughed. Several years later I was lucky enough to see this live when I moved to Wyoming.
So it was with great excitement that I read today that Perrin has released a new film in France, “Oceans“, that is dominating the box office. I cannot, cannot wait until it surfaces here.
From the Time Magazine article on the film:
Most French reviewers seem to agree, however, that Océans is Perrin’s most effective work yet in terms of evoking solidarity with endangered nature. It is part of his agenda. He told Le Monde, “We’re entertainers, and I don’t want to be pretentious and start moralizing. But Océans is part of our means of persuasion. We must react urgently, protect, create blue helmets for the sea. Otherwise, humanity is headed toward an unbearable solitude.”
You all know that I couldn’t agree more. It is the philosophy of this blog too.
And in case you’re curious, if you want to see how they packaged it for “American” audiences, see here. This does not speak well of our national character, or at least what Hollywood thinks is the only way they can market to “American” audiences. Apparently, if it’s not warm-blooded and fuzzy, or involves a gripping action scene with a pounding techno soundtrack, we’re not interested. Sigh.
Still can’t wait to see the film. Yay, Jacques Perrin! The world needs as many of his films as we can get. And Jacques, in case you’re reading this, the world is ready for the first big-screen protist, slime mold, diatom, lichen, alga, and fungus documentary. Trust me. Thank you.
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* I actually felt March of the Penguins was only an average nature documentary. My feeling at the time was its popularity could only be explained by the disappearance of all other good old-fashioned nature documentaries, and people remembering what they liked about them. I’ve already talked about “The Animal Bothering Show” style pioneered fairly colorfully by Steve Irwin but copied rather lifelessly by many others. Most of these shows teach you very little coherent about nature — certainly not in the way a David Attenborough documentary does or Wild America did, calmly and quietly following the cutthroat trout through the seasons of its life for a year, inviting you to meditatively take in the sound of the bubbling brook as the fish goes about the business of life. Then again, I’m a nerd. I probably wouldn’t get bored at an 8-hour Proust lecture. : )
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Awesome trailer. Waiting for release in Poland. Many thanks for posting. I didn’t know they’re making another movie.
Absolutely! Glad to help. : )
Any idea how I would find if this is playing in my city or if it it will be soon?
According to the “American” trailer, it’s coming out on Earth Day (April 22) this year in the U.S. Since Disney’s distributing it, I’d assume it will have pretty wide play — including in at least one local multiplex. Good luck!
I found your blog on your comment to the article on dinosaur “feather” colouration in the NYTimes today. It’s going on the top of my list for Daily Things to Read.
Awesome! So glad you are here. : )
Jen
Hi Jennifer, I can’ t believe I missed this when you first posted it! I am so glad I backtracked. Can’t wait to see this new movie. Thanks so much for the heads up. Microcosmos and Winged Migration are true works of art. Perrin is this generation’s Cousteau.
P.S. 10 years ago I had an all girl Microcosmos party and the snail love scene sparked shrieks and great conversation! My favorite is the dung beetle though.
Oh noooo, I just went and watched the two trailers. How awful. While it is commendable that Disney recognizes talent from other countries and tries to give it publicity in this country, it is just awful that they have to repackage it like they do, first with “Planet Earth” (replacing Attenborough was just wrong) and now this. I actually have seen this trailer in theaters and had no idea it was Perrin, because of course, half the trailer was about Disney himself.
Wow. . . a Microcosmos party . . . That’s. Awesome. : ) Yeah, I wish the American media machine didn’t market as they do. But perhaps if it gets more people into theater seats than otherwise would come it’s a good thing. I do, however, have a problem with it when they change narrators or alter the film itself to make it more “palatable” to American audeinces. Hopefully their stylistic “upgrades” will be limited to the trailer. And subtitles please! It’s not like Perrin films have that much talking . . .