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Bullfrog Films
P.O. Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
Tel: 610/779-8226
Fax: 610/370-1978
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A Life Among Whales
A fascinating exploration into the life and work of whale biologist and activist Roger Payne.
57 minutes
DVD-R version available
Color / Stereo
Closed Captioned
Grade Level: 7 - 12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 2006
Copyright Date: 2005
ISBN (VHS): 1-59458-380-3
ISBN (DVD): 1-59458-381-1
Directed by Bill Haney
Produced by Uncommon Productions
Executive Producers: Tim Disney, Kees Kasander, Evert van den Bos
Co-Producer: Eric Grunebaum
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"A splendid film. It both soothes and shocks." Henry Lee, Director, Environment and Natural Resources Program, Harvard University
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Weaving together natural history and biography, A LIFE AMONG WHALES is a fascinating exploration into the life and work of whale biologist and activist Roger Payne. Payne's electrifying discovery in the early 1970s that whales sing "songs" helped ignite the modern day environmental movement.
A charismatic and passionate individual, Payne's pioneering spirit has consistently advanced the boundaries of science and activism over the last four decades.
A LIFE AMONG WHALES traces Payne's scientific research beginning with his early work in Patagonia, where for two years, he, his wife and four young children lived in tents on a remote bay so that they could have unhindered access for the study of Southern Right Whales.
It explores Payne's tireless and passionate fight to ban whaling -- a ban which today, 20 years after an international moratorium was imposed is threatened -- and follows him to his present day study of ocean pollution and his work with The Ocean Alliance, a non-profit organization and global leader in whale research and conservation which he founded.
With beautiful and haunting images, Payne challenges us to become the greatest generation of all. Saving earth's largest creatures would open the door to humanity's recognition of our true role in the biosphere.
Note: This film contains some powerful images which may disturb some people.
The DVD version of this program is recorded on DVD-R which is not compatible with some older DVD players. See the new DVD page for more details.
Awards:
Earthwatch Film Award
Best Film & Video, WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
Ben & Jerry's Environmental Award, Vermont International Film Festival
Conservation Award, MountainFilm, Telluride
Marine Conservation Award, International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula
Best Cinematography Award, United Nations Association Film Festival, Stanford
Silver Hugo Award, Chicago International Television Film Festival
Best Oceans/Water Film, EarthVision Environmental Film Festival
Best Sea Conservation Film, International Life Film Festival
Best of Festival List, Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival
Honorable Mention, Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival
Finalist, North American Assn for Environmental Education/Albert I Pierce Foundation Film & Video Festival
Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
Planet in Focus, Toronto International Environmental Film Festival
Vermont International Film Festival
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Newport Beach Film Festival
American Conservation Film Festival
San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
Delray Beach Film Festival
Rhode Island International Film Festival
OceanPlanet Film Festival, Mystic, CT
Our Island, Our World Film Festival, Salt Spring Island, Canada
Finalist, Montana CINE International Film Festival
Israel Eco Cinema
Reviews:
"This is a splendid film. It both soothes and shocks, as it introduces the viewer to the world's largest mammal and to the senseless carnage of whale hunting. Its message though is one of hope. Hope that there is still time to give back the ocean to this majestic creature. But we must begin now." Henry Lee, Director, Environment and Natural Resources Program, Harvard University
"Exquisite visuals... Divided into segments, which makes this production very classroom friendly, Payne's passionate narration is balanced by that of children who describe their knowledge of and enthusiasm for whales... This is a meaningful addition for all environmental collections and can be utilized by classes across the curriculum to study environmental issues and stewardship and to confront a global query, 'Can a single individual change the world?'" School Library Journal
"This is a beautiful film and a devastating film. It captures in words and images the majesty of the world's whales while chronicling the life and work of biologist Dr. Roger Payne. It is a cause for hope, as it shows how Payne's work in the 1960s and 1970s led to greater public awareness of the plight of whales and, eventually, an international moratorium on whaling in the 1980s. But the film is also a cause for concern and a call to action, revealing that the international consensus against whaling is beginning to unravel. All told, it's a thoughtful, humbling, and full-hearted film that makes it clear the destiny of whale populations must matter to us all." Jury Citation, Vermont International Film Festival
"A loving profile of the charismatic activist... Payne's story is a remarkable one that will force even the most cynical and detached viewer to reevaluate humanity's role in Earth's stewardship and our relationship with the planet's other inhabitants. Boasting gorgeous cinematography, this festival-award winner is definitely recommended." Video Librarian
"[A Life Among Whales] is well constructed, weaving together interviews, spectacular underwater footage of whales, clips of historical whaling operations, and animation... The story is both poignant and inspiring, the cinematography is top-notch and it is easy to see why this film has won a host of awards. Highly recommended for all audiences." Barbara Butler, Educational Media Reviews Online
"Stunning, graceful images...interesting commentary...a stimulus for a potentially rich discussion of topics ranging from ecology, to lifestyle, to abuses of power, not to mention whales." Science, Books & Films
Related Subjects:
Animal Behavior/Communication
Animal Rights
Animals
Anthropology
Biography
Coast and Ocean
Endangered Species
Environment
Environmental Ethics
Fisheries
Geography
Habitat
International Relations
Law
Marine
Biology
Natural History
Sociology
Solutions
Related Links:
The Ocean Alliance web site
The producers' web site
Related Titles:
For the Whales: Writers, artists, and musicians celebrate the whale.
Whalesong: Musical experiment with a choir, symphony orchestra, and three killer whales.
Monumental: A stirring portrait of America's greatest environmentalist.
In Defense of Animals: Peter Singer presents the moral philosophy arguments for animal rights.
Henry: Inspiring portrait of animal rights activist, Henry Spira.
Thomas Berry: Portrays the life and work of the famous eco-theologian.
John Livingston: Naturalist John Livingston questions whether humans are the "chosen species".
For Earth's Sake: Portrait of David Brower, America's leading environmentalist.
David Brower: An interview with America's foremost environmentalist.
A Naturalist in the Rainforest: A journey into the rainforest with naturalist Alexander Skutch.
The Nature of David Suzuki: Portrait of geneticist David Suzuki, host of "The Nature of Things."
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