Hello everyone
Apologies for not posting a blog for some days – events and life just got in the way! But here I am and I’m talking about a film. Yes, just one film as because of the issues I’ve had with pain and balance I haven’t gone to our wonderful independent cinema for months now and consequently have watched very few.
Perhaps I could have gone to my local cinema earlier but, to be honest, I think I was getting quite phobic about getting out and about. For a couple of reasons I wasn’t able to get to the art gallery I said I was going to, and I was beginning to think that I just wasn’t up to socialising and going out to one of my favourite pastimes – watching good quality films.
Also there has been nothing I’ve really wanted to see on the various streaming platforms that I follow. So I thought I had nothing to report re: films, until… this film, which my very good friend (another Penny) said I absolutely had to see on the big screen. So off I went to see it with her, two of her friends and my other half. And, oh my goodness, dear readers, if there is one film I would urge you see, and should be almost compulsory to watch, it is this one.
The film in question is Ocean, with David Attenborough, and is one of the most beautiful and heart-rending films I have ever seen. And as you know I have seen many, many films of many genres, and have thought, now which film would I choose as the best/most interesting/most important film I have seen.
This, for me, is the most important film you could watch, ever.
One critic has called Ocean a visual marvel and I would agree as you will gasp at the beauty of our oceans. But is this, you might wonder, all that is shown; the incredible diversity, colour, light and life within our seas? No. Because we also see the devastation of the ‘bottom trawlers’ who ravage the floor of our seas leaving nothing but a grey desolation. This has never been shown in such graphic detail and it is beyond shocking – you feel devastated. And then Attenborough gives us hope. If a place in the ocean ravaged by these trawlers becomes a ‘no trawling zone’ astonishingly the whole area changes and the diversity of fish and plant life returns amazingly quickly. Moreover, what is astounding is that this renewal of fish and plant life spreads outwards and enriches the surrounding seas.
But Attenborough urges us not to be complacent. The film was made to tie in with the UN Ocean conference (to be held in Nice from 9-13 June) to implement solutions to the many challenges facing our oceans, including the banning of bottom-trawling. It was released globally on May 8, the day of Attenborough’s 99th birthday, and if you cannot get to a screening it will be available on Disney+, National Geographic and Hulu on June 8. I urge you to not only see it but to contact your representatives to ask any of the people participating to watch the film and act upon it. We need to be so careful of our beautiful oceans, which are amongst the many precious resources of this earth that are being damaged. Things can change, as damaged seas can, but the damage has to be solved globally with laws and regulations that stop the destruction that unregulated fishing (and pollution of course) wreaks on our beautiful seas.
It was quite an emotional experience to watch this extraordinary film, I dare you not to weep at the beauty and pity of it. As for Attenborough, at the end he stands on a cliff high above the sea, an intellectual and moral colossus and an example for us all.
With love, Penny
P.S. Do tell me if you’ve seen the film or intend to – I’d love to hear your views on it.
I haven’t seen the film, but I will be sure to look for it now. I’m sure it’s better on the big screen, but I will have to watch on tv. We don’t get out much, either. I would call my representatives, but it would be for nought. Eh, I will call anyway as I know they log the calls…not so much the emails.
I hope you get answers soon and can resume your social life as I know you flourish with that.
Take care, Penny! I love reading your words!
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Actually I do hope it gets on to the other streaming platforms as really Prime and Netflix are the most popular in the UK, not the ones I mentioned. Plus of course, BBCiPlayer where it could stay for years. Also I do hope Ocean gets shown for free in schools as it’s so informative and we need our young people to think – yes, we must act.
It is a wonderful film Marsha, thanks so much for saying you will watch it 😊
Isn’t David Attenborough a wonderful man . We have been so fortunate to have him in our world . Many years ago I was in a local bookshop , very early in the morning , & there he was sitting at a desk waiting to sign copies of his books . There were just the two of us in the room & I really wanted to approach him but I was very young & very shy then . So I peeped round the bookshelves at him , like a timid little animal whilst he gave me one of his encouraging little smiles . Still I waited but then a group of people arrived so I fled . I will always regret not being brave enough to speak to him . I must see that film . Hope you are out & about again soon .
Oh Wendy, in a way that’s such a sweet story – I can picture it! Yes, do see if it’s still on near you. Our independent cinema has shown it over several weeks and I was lucky to catch it – in fact it was my friend saying, oh please see it with me, you won’t regret it, and gosh I was so grateful she’d persuaded me. And btw that was the 2nd time she’d seen the film. It was shown on the smallest screen – only 4 rows of seats! But every single seat sold out.
Getting out a bit more now – thanks so much 😊
I read about the film, and the bottom trawlers, and expected to see it on tv in the not too distant future. Sounds like it would be marvellous on a big screen. Will investigate!
It is an amazing film and one you won’t regret seeing on a big screen. In fact I was rather disappointed at the screening platforms chosen as they aren’t the most popular platforms in the UK. Hopefully one day it will be shown on the BBC and go on iPlayer. Actually I truly hope they somehow get it shown in all the schools in the country. That would be so worthwhile as we want the young to pick up the campaign.
Gosh what are we going to do when David Attenborough is no more?! What an age he’s reached and so together and out there. Well done him!
Thanks Gail 😊
I also thought it was going to be one of his landmark tv programmes rather than a stand alone film, so will have to look out for it showing somewhere as l don’t have Apple or the other streaming services you mentioned, only Netflix and Prime . As a Greenpeace member I’ve supported their efforts on this issue over the years; our oceans are so precious…life started there! I did get to see The Salt Path yesterday though – worth watching if you do get a chance, about the impact of homelessness on an older couple. Gillian Anderson is particularly good. Hope you’re soon back to good health Penny xx
Yes to begin with I was like you and thought it would be his usual series for television, but no it is a stunning film and all the better for seeing it on a big screen. Our independent cinema is still showing it and it’s some weeks now. Hopefully it’ll be shown somewhere near you. I honestly hope it gets to the platforms that are more popular in the UK. And also it ought to be shown in all the schools around the UK as we do want our young to pick up the baton and campaign for our glorious seas.
The Salt Path is definitely a film I want to see – just holding back from seeing it in the cinema as my 2nd cataract is scheduled in 6 days so I’m avoiding crowded areas for the time being.
Thanks so much Alison 😊
Hi Penny – I havent yet seen the film but fully intend to partly because I was on the Isle of Arran recently staying at Lamlash which is where the very first No Take Zone was established. We took a small trip over to Holy Island (the one off Arran – not Lindisfarne!) and the skipper was explaining to us what a huge difference the zone had made and how marine life had been re-established after years of over fishing and scraping the sea bed. He mentioned the programme and I think he said the Isle of Arran was mentioned. As for David Attenborough – he really is one of the great people of our time. People are often labelled legends and icons these days but he really deserves all the accolades he receives. Hope you are getting a bit better Penny
Hi Penny. I fully intend to see this film partly because I visited the Isle of Arran recently where the first No Take Zone was established and learnt about how the zone had allowed marine life to flourish after years of over fishing and dredging the sea bed. The number of herons on the shore line attested to this! I think someone said Arran was featured in the film.
As for Attenborough – so many people are labelled icons and legends in the contemporary world but he really is a great man.
I hope you are feeling better.
Yes Arran is featured but mainly it is fishermen regretting the overfishing in the surrounding seas. So do watch it as you will recognise the scenery I’m sure.
As for Attenborough – I agree he is absolutely a great man. And what an age to reach and still able to be vigorous and so involved in life on this earth.
And thanks for the good wishes – getting there! 😊
I am so sorry that the pain and balance issues are still holding you back from living your fullest life. This does seem like and important film. I really never go to the movies anymore, I do not like the big mega complex near me and the smaller venues no longer exist. And I hate going alone. I will go to concerts and other events alone but do not like the movies by myself. I don’t have any streaming services but perhaps I will see if I can somehow see if I can get this one. I agree Attenborough is wonderful, has done so much in drawing attention to what is happening to out planet . That said, I am heartsick at the apathy of so many, and especially by the leaders of this country. No one from the US will probably represent us at this ocean conference.
And I want to tell you on a more positive note that I did get to the Frick Museum last week. A magnificent collection of traditional mostly European art housed in a beautiful mansion in Manhattan. It has undergone a major renovation during the last few years and has just reopened. This was a birthday gift to me from my daughter, and we concluded the day with lunch at a charming French bistro. Perfect! I have to tell you that as an older, well, old woman I was so happy I could do this outing, The walking to and from the train station into the city, the subway, the walk to the restaurant and all. I was tired at the end of the day but in a good way. I do hope you can find answers for your pain and balance problems. Always good to hear from you, love, Darby
I think we are very lucky to have Attenborough living to the age he is at now, and able to tell us exactly what is happening re: over-fishing and indeed the pollution of our seas.
And yes while a lot of people in the UK do care about the environment, with very few believing that Climate change is man made and not to be bothered with, nevertheless, our politicians are now very enervated about defence spending and Ok that’s probably necessary, but climate change and the campaign to bring the UK to Net Zero is somewhat down the list of priorities. Indeed there is quite a lot of criticism about the push to get to Net Zero – can it be done, won’t it impact our lives too much, we need our cars etc etc. Fortunately we have a passionate advocate for Net Zero in the MP Ed Miliband and I listened to this passion whilst he was being interviewed by Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell for their podcast Leading. Oh if all the politicians spoke and felt like him, we’d get there. But. Tbh I am not hopeful.
On a more positive note it was lovely to hear about your trip to the Frick. We have to protect ourselves by immersing ourselves in culture with our family and friends. And I went to an art gallery yesterday – yay!
And 2nd cataract op is in 6 days – bring it on!
Thanks as ever, Darby 😊