Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 1 Documentaries and the Environment Media, Politics and the Environment Week 6

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong Nature films Documentary film claims to represent reality “Representation of reality”: realism (recording, documentation) “Representation of reality”: objectivity (detachment, journalistic accuracy, scientific objectivity) Integrity of filmmaker as guarantee of realism and objectivity Nature film at “crossroads of science, popular education, art and business” (Vivanco, 2002) Key functions are children’s education and adults' entertainment Such documentaries are BOTH educational tools and market commodities 2

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong Assumption: "Wildlife and natural history films are environmentally committed documentaries” (Vivanco, 2002, referring to Bouse, 2000) Structure, topics, narratives from other film genres Produced in competitive media markets to capture audiences, to create profit “Fakery of simulated spectacle and the objectivity of science” Fantasy world: camera tricks (slow motions, frog eye, etc.) Lighting and colors 3 Nature films

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong Nature films Cutting out references to presence of human life (electricity poles, cars, etc.)—like in a costume drama Cutting out context: safari tourists, documentation/context of filmmaking Using music and stock sounds De-familiarizing nature and Earth Creating a beautiful dream world without people 4

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 5 Nature films Dramatic framework, narrative: from human stories Fictionalized narratives Anthropomorphization of animal families and individuals Monogamy, responsible parenting, work ethic, late gratification, gender division of labor Moral values (responsibility, good/bad) implied regarding animals Violent (bloody) and explicit sexual scenes “censored” Narrative conventions from mainstream Hollywood films (Bouse 2000)

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 6 Nature films: Planet Earth Main question of nature films: “What is nature good for? What is it worth?” Plant Earth: “Nature is good looking at.” (Richard Beck: Costing Planet Earth, 2010) Planet Earth (original BBC television series) cost GBP16 Million Early nature films: feeding animals and animals’ fight Terrier vs. Wildcat (1906): “animal pornography” Visual pleasure of watching cruelty and torture of animals (Bouse 2000)

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 7 Nature films: Planet Earth Predation: no coherent interpretation Threatening (wolves, lions, shark) and beautiful, “visual delight” (dolphins, cheeta) (Beck, 2000) “No more spectacle.” Species are disappearing at increasing rate Visual representation: human-like animal families and individuals

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong 8 Nature films: Planet Earth Filmmakers go after visual pleasures Utilizing and usurping remaining spots for profits What remains? “Last wilderness” Museum of images instead of wildlife “But visual splendor is a poor index of the health of Earth”s ecosystems.” (Beck 2010) Representation in film vs. real trends of consumer capitalism as the cause of environmental crisis Nature films: documentation or aesthetic lies?