Beginning in 1948, Walt Disney began producing the first of his thirteen True Life Adventure motion pictures. He pioneered the documentation of wildlife, recognizing not only its educational but entertainment value. Continuing in that tradition, Disneynature was formed in April 2008> Since then, it has produced Earth, Oceans, African Cats, Bears, Monkey Kingdom, and Chimpanzee. And now Born in China.
Disneynature’s Born in China
Prepared for a parade of cute, cuddly animals, I was. (I lost count of the number of “oohs” and “awwws” coming from the audience.) Expecting an exclusive window into sections of the largest continent, into areas I never knew existed, I was not. Let me share with you nature-lovers the three wild surprises I found in Disneynature’s Born in China.
Surprise 1
China is breathtaking. Its terrain is diverse, and some of the footage reminds me of our Pacific Northwest. The Walt Disney Studios president, Alan Bergman, was correct when saying, “most people will never have the opportunity to experience this wild, mysterious, and beautiful side of China.” In the vast western territories, this untouched terrain is where the film is documented. It starts in the Wolong National Nature Reserve in the Si Chuan province (pandas). The movie progresses to the Hubei Shennongjia National Nature Reserve along the Yangtze River (golden snub-nosed monkeys). And finally arrives at the rim of the Tibetan plateau in the Qinghai Province (snow leopards). The lens exposes us to areas of the world that many across the globe have never seen nor even knew existed. Adorable baby animals aside, the Chinese geography is stunning.
Surprise 2
Again, I feel very naive and completely uneducated. After decades of exposure to scenes of Chinese smog, grime, and gross overcrowding, I had no idea that huge swaths of the country consisted of pristine landscapes. The film shows us global images of light sources across China. Amazingly, it appears that as much as one-third of the country is completed unwired and unspoiled. Even filmmaker Brian Leith remarked, “we were fascinated by these vast areas of wilderness in a country known more for the number of people who live there.”
Surprise 3
Filming began without a script. Makes sense for a nature film, no? Despite that, I was struck by the narrative that the filmmakers were able to craft merely by screening the abundance of film shot in China. Somewhere along the line, these animals became characters. These creatures were compelling, and captivating actors in this one hour and nineteen minute movie. I hope they were all awarded a SAG card upon wrap!! Watch and tell me if you agree.
What is NOT a surprise to me is Disney’s commitment to wildlife and its preservation. (Any fan of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park knows that the conservation theme is ever-present in this brand’s offerings.) These films bring that same level of responsibility to its audience and society.
** Ticket sales from Disneynature’s Born in China in its opening week (April 21-27, 2017) benefited the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. This, in turn, helps protect wild pandas and snow leopards in China.
Recommendations
Would I recommend this movie? Yes. If you are desperately in need of some nature therapy (as most of us seem to be at present), go. If you can’t get enough of adorable fur babies, go. Or, if you missed the section on Chinese geography when in school (as I clearly did), watch and be amazed.
However, I will share the following warnings. Nature is beautiful, and powerful, and raw, and cruel. I personally do not think that young children will be comfortable with some of the true life hunting and predatory behaviors illustrated on the big screen. Likewise, even older children should be prepared for the “circle of life” that the film depicts. In this movie, life and nature’s harshest realities do not come with an endearing musical score. For the rest of us, this is just what we need, just when we need it.
This Earth Day, get out and see the world. Put Disneynature’s Born in China on your calendar. Or add it to your library of Disney movie DVDs!
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DebS says
I can’t wait to see Born in China! I think I was asleep during Geography because I am stunned at how beautiful it is. Amazing photographers on this film!
Thanak says
It is great to see China being portrayed in a different light. I do hope DisneyNature continues to do more of such movies.
D Marie says
I agree completely!