Acclaimed wildlife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert bring viewers an unprecedented look at African elephant society in their co-operation, memory and communication ability. These remarkable traits confirm the elephant as a unique and precious creature.
Following elephants day and night for over two years, the Jouberts deliver an extraordinary documentary in Reflections on Elephants.
Discover that the lives of elephants have much in common with our own - powerful but tender family bonds, remarkable communication skills, and an uncanny ability to cooperate under pressure.
Join renowned wildlife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert as they capture the drama of Africa’s largest free-roaming elephant herds.
An instinct for filming wild animals, a deep knowledge of life in the bush, and a profound commitment to documentary filmmaking has established Beverly and Dereck Joubert as among the premiere producers of their generation.
The couple’s success in making wildlife documentaries is due in part to their nomadic lifestyle. Unlike other film crews, which typically operate from a base camp and take day trips into the bush, the Jouberts follow the herds for days at a time, sleeping in their four-wheel-drive vehicle and cooking on its manifold. They edit much of their footage on an editing table sheltered only by a tent, with the help of a portable generator. Their unique way of life enables them to observe the animals closely and acclimate their subjects to their human presence.
Dereck and Beverly made their home in northern Botswana in 1980, initially as researchers studying lions with the Chobe Lion Research Institute. It was here that they saw the potential for spectacular wildlife documentaries and decided to change careers from ecology to filmmaking. They travelled to Great Britain to gain experience and education in cinematography and sound recording, and returned to the bush to film the animals with which they had become so familiar.
By 1985, the Jouberts established their own successful production company, Wildlife Films Botswana, in Kasane, Botswana, turning out films acclaimed for their unique style: stunning close-up photography and natural sound combined with a deep understanding of animal behaviour and animal/environment interactions.
Narrated by Stacy Keach. Produced by Dereck and Beverly Joubert for National Geographic.
This DVD also includes an exclusive, free Bonus film by National Geographic: Motola – An Elephant’s Story
Motola, a 38-year-old elephant, was taking a break from logging duties when she stepped on a land mine, shattering her left foot. By the time her ‘owner’ got Motola to an elephant hospital in northern Thailand, after a three-day trek, Motola was in agony.
Television footage shows the pachyderm holding her shredded foot up and weeping. Motola underwent several operations to tidy up the wound and to fit a prosthesis. The Thai nation followed her plight on TV and the story was broadcast around the world.
This film follows Motola through her operations and shows the extraordinary lengths her owner went to in order to save Motola’s life.
Reviews (for ‘Reflections of Elephants’):
“I watched this film many times and I still am fascinated by this masterpiece. While the footage is exceptional, the real jewel of this production is the emotional part represented by the elephants as well as the filmmaker. It is amazing how many emotional traits we share with these giants of Africa. Derek Joubert shows the elephant’s compassion, self-awareness as well as awareness of death. He shows us the everyday life of the creature consisting of triumphs and dramas that develop around the African background. We see elephants co-existing with other creatures, such as lions that may hunt them given the opportunity. One of the most amazing and emotional moments is the acceptance of the lost elephant baby by the non-related matriarch as well as the elephant bull mourning the dead friend. I strongly recommend this film to anyone who is interested in African wildlife in general and elephants in particular.”
“I loved this film! The beginning with the elephants in the water relaxing expresses a favourite elephant characteristic of mine - they enjoy having fun and can be very laid back! Other parts of the film, such as the story of the abandoned baby elephant, show the seriousness of the life of an elephant in the wild, as well as their compassion for other animals (they could have left the baby to fend for itself, but they did not). The scenes in which the elephants were seen only as shadows in the background capture the elephant spirit, which I admire very much. I purchased this film after borrowing it from the library and deciding I must have it for my own! Very good.”
Please have a look at the other African wildlife DVDs by Dereck & Beverly Joubert that we stock - the next best thing to being in Botswana yourself!
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS DVD:
No comments:
Post a Comment