An adventurous journey into the
difficult process of becoming an adult King penguin in one of the most
hazardous lands on the face of the Planet: South Georgia.
The Penguin King 3D is a truly
fascinating documentary, majestically narrated by the world’s most
famous natural history broadcaster, David Attenborough, – who’s also on
the production team alongside filmmaker Anthony Geffen – and whose vivid
narrative voice perfectly embodies the intensity of the story depicted.
Following one Bachelor King penguin’s
adventures after his returning to Penguin City, astonishing 3D
technology takes us right into the middle of the scene, giving us the
chance to have an insider’s perspective into the Bachelor King’s highs
and lows, his partying at sea, his struggle to find a mate with whom to
share the most exciting adventure ever: breeding.
From adolescent clumsiness to triumphant
adulthood, we observe him grow in a life-threatening environment,
facing daily obstacles from fearful predators such as killer whales and
leopard seals, to the troubles of getting his chick safely through his
first year.
The
most interesting aspect of the film is the anthropomorphisation of the
penguin itself, which is not a humanisation process, though, and the two
must not be confused. As Attenborough points out: “It is wrong to give
animals human names and attribute subjective feelings to them. But it is
also absurd to think that they are machines and we have nothing in
common with them. […] You have to strike a line which neither
anthropomorphizes, nor becomes so scientifically objective that it has
no emotional impact.” And herein lies the major characteristic of the
Penguin King: the penguin’s journey is going to resonate for humans, but
he will remain a penguin nevertheless.
The Penguin King 3D is an
extraordinary window on one of the most fascinating creatures on Earth,
dramatically caught in his natural habitat, the most isolated
archipelago in the Southern Ocean.
The already BAFTA-winning duo
Attenborough and Geffen (Flying Monsters) succeeds once again in
striking us with the immediacy of life, heightened by wonderful 3D.
Verdict: •••
Eleonora Ricotta
The Penguin King 3D is released on Wednesday 24th
October, also featuring an exclusive Q&A with David Attenborough
streamed live via satellite across participating cinemas in UK from
Fulham Broadway Vue.
No comments:
Post a Comment