There is a valley in Africa forgotten in time and so remote and isolated that even nature does not follow its usual pattern here.
Flooded by summer rain, its fertile plains turn to dust and burn to a crisp in the dry season; the Luangwa River becomes a slender lifeline for the wildlife that must drink from its banks. This is the arena of the crafty Yellow Baboon.
This is a unique documentary about a large family of yellow baboons, set against the every day perils of life beside a shrinking watering hole. African wildlife does not get harsher or more cruel than this, when the extreme seasons reduce the Luangwa River to a trickle and each animal is in fear of its life.
Whilst the land is ravaged by drought in an unforgiving dry season, the baboons are resourceful, very crafty and good at finding food. Their lives are finely tuned to the existence of other wildlife, mainly the herds of elephants and impala, but also the solitary leopards, stalking the grasslands and watering holes.
The baboons’ most powerful enemy is the lion, but their real nemesis is the sleek, silent, stalking leopard, their most feared enemy by far.
Valley of the Golden Baboon is a multiple award-winning film by renowned film makers Peter and Stefania Lamberti. They have produced a close-up account of what life in a troupe of baboons is like, including: playing, fighting, foraging, posturing, grooming and mating.
The film has won several awards, including golds at the Houston International Film Festival and the Missoula International Wildlife Film Festival.
The superbly filmed and edited footage includes some truly amazing scenes, eg a crocodile hunting in a shallow pool, a huge herd of aggressive hippos fighting for space in a shrinking watering hole, a leopard killing one of the baboons and the relentless rivalry between the troupe leader and an outside male.
The film has a well-scripted and often amusing storyline and is accompanied by a stirring and sensitive sound track. This documentary is destined to be one of the great wildlife films of all times.
Narrated by Samuel West.
Produced by Peter and Stefania Lamberti for Aquavision (2004). Featured on National Geographic.
Reviews:
‘Nice, warm colours and razor-sharp images of these acrobats of the jungle. The way in which the story of the baboons is told is both funny and touching. The film crew also treat us to some stunning and unusual wildlife footage: lions and crocs fighting over a carcass, crocs feasting on a hippo carcass, pools full of belligerent hippos and lots of crocs everywhere. It was nice to have a whole film dedicated to these lovely monkeys. Very entertaining!’
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