In the remote volcanic archipelago of the Crozet islands, meet David Reicnert, a cameraman who has an extraordinary talent to locate, approach and tame some of the wildest beasts on Earth.

Enduring raging winds and icy waters with minimal protection, he enters the intimacy of elephant seals and orcas using clever ethological analyses and gets them used to his presence. Then comes the extraordinary: meet a man who communicates with penguins with body language, calms young seals and turns them into live pillows, lies underwater with 8 ton orcas or mature male seals...

Context:
David Reichert is a young American wildlife filmmaker who has dedicated his life to his passion. Specialized in marine subjects, at ease in rough seas and icy waters, David has an incredible resistance to extreme environments and a real talent for dealing with complex wildlife situations. To achieve this unique film, he spent 4 months in an isolated bay on an island 2000 miles away from the nearest continent with Jean François BARTHOD, another talented filmmaker and director with a solid experience as a DOP of feature films.

Author(s) : Bertrand Loyer
Director(s) : JeanFrançois Barthod
Year : 2006
Producer(s) : Saint Thomas Productions, France 2, DiscoveryAnimal Planet
Running time : 52mn
Format : Digital Beta, Super 16mm
Distributor(s) : Saint Thomas Productions

Awards :
Filmar,
International See and Environment Film Festival
Hendaye, France 2009
City of Hendaye’s Award

San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
USA
Wildlife Award

Underwater film festival
St. Petersbourg, Russia
Grand Award and Best Photography Award

International Film Festival
DompierresurBesbre, France
Best Documentary

33rd festival of underwater image in Antibes
Juan les Pins, France
Palme de Bronze

Nature Festival
Namur, Belgium
Gold tape of the Audience, city of Namur’s award

International Marine and Exploration Film Festival
Toulon, France
Silver Anchor

Jules Verne Festival
Paris, France, 2006
Nature Award and Young Public’s Award

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