Are you tired of doom and gloom environmental documentaries? What if there was a film that celebrated the beauty of nature and inspired action, instead of paralyzing you with fear? That's exactly what 'Super Nature' aims to do.
Is it a hard-hitting science exposé? A globe-trotting travelogue? A politically charged statement? Actually, it's none of the above! 'Super Nature' is best described as a global love letter to the natural world, a cinematic poem that might just evoke the nostalgic feeling of watching old family home movies – especially if you remember the days of Super 8 film. In fact, it is Super 8 film!
Ed Sayers, in his feature directorial debut, prioritizes visual and auditory splendor over dense statistics and alarming data. Think sweeping landscapes, close-ups of fascinating wildlife, and a soundtrack that tugs at your heartstrings. The film, shot entirely on Super 8, uses its unique aesthetic to remind us of nature's wonders and, more importantly, why they're worth protecting. The title is a playful nod to the Super 8 film format. Get it? Super Nature!
The film's premise, according to the 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF), where it premiered, posed this intriguing question: "How do you make a film about the natural world that’s environmentally sound?" The answer? A community-driven film spanning continents. Sayers shipped cameras to contributors around the world and then wove together a mosaic of intimate observations of natural landscapes. The result is a lush, deeply personal, and truly engrossing cinematic experience that feels less like a lecture and more like a heartfelt conversation.
Sayers brings a unique perspective to the project, drawing on his background in directing and producing commercials and music videos. Fun fact: his first short film, 'Goldfish,' featured Michael Fassbender.
'Super Nature' is a collaboration between Seven Productions and Grasp the Nettle Films, co-produced by Forest of Black. The project secured funding from several sources, including the BFI Doc Society Fund (awarding National Lottery funding), Screen Scotland, Cinelab Film and Digital, Foghorn Features, and Autlook Filmsales, which handles international distribution.
The production team includes Rebecca Wolff, who heads Grasp the Nettle Films, Sayers himself, and Beth Allan, with Asif Kapadia (known for his acclaimed documentaries) serving as executive producer.
Good news for UK and Irish audiences: BFI Distribution has acquired 'Super Nature' for theatrical release.
Sayers and Wolff recently discussed their approach to filmmaking with The Hollywood Reporter, emphasizing their focus on building a community around film and nature and, crucially, on fostering hope rather than dwelling on fear. But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that focusing solely on the positive aspects of nature ignores the very real and pressing threats it faces. Do you think it's possible to inspire meaningful change without acknowledging the harsh realities?
According to Wolff, "BFI Distribution is an amazing partner. They’re going to open the film at the BFI South Bank and then open it as widely as possible around the U.K. and Ireland. It’s such a beautiful film to see on the big screen. So we’re really pleased. They’re really passionate about bringing films to the big screen."
Sayers added, "They are the perfect fit, and they’re keen to go to the multiplexes. They feel that the film has obvious slices of audiences – they are the film lovers, the celluloid lovers, and the nature lovers. They genuinely have a desire, like we do, to get this film to the widest audience and get it talked about over the breakfast table."
Their ultimate hope? "Our hope is, and I say this humbly, that it will just remind people of that ever more tenuous connection we have with nature. And if anyone goes away from seeing our film just feeling they just want to do a little bit more to nurture that all-important relationship – like all relationships, it needs to be looked after – we might start moving to a better place. We just want to do our little bit for the conversation. Especially because our conversation today is so divided on every matter."
When asked about the audience reception at the LFF, Wolff shared, "We had the world premiere, and the atmosphere in the room afterwards was really peaceful, with a lot of love for the film and what it was saying. People were just feeling very emotional in a really positive way, even though some cried."
Sayers elaborated, "It’s doing something that we wouldn’t have dared to hope. And I’m feeling, reading through all the messages, that it’s touching people in a way beyond their conscious feelings. And that’s what we want. I really feel that this is about connection."
Addressing the balance between facts, warnings, and encouragement, Wolff explained, "Ed had the inspiration for this film, and we really wanted to do a thing that was talking about what we’re fighting for rather than what we’re fighting against. And that was really early in our hearts to bring to it a sense of celebration."
Sayers chimed in, "Yeah, it was about finding connection. And we really wanted to celebrate people where they were and their connection to nature. So it was about the people and about their connection to nature all over the world."
And this is the part most people miss... The film's global scope wasn't just a stylistic choice; it was a deliberate effort to showcase diverse perspectives and local initiatives.
Sayers emphasized, "It’s an incredibly international film, and it was really important to us that it was a positive film that brought you active hope, that made you feel that you can make a change, and that didn’t make it overwhelming and big."
He concluded by referencing Jane Goodall: "Jane Goodall, who just died, talked very much about what we can all do, and how every moment of every day we’re making an impact on the world, and we can choose whether it’s positive or negative. And that was so important to us." Does focusing on individual actions risk downplaying the need for systemic change? Where do you draw the line between personal responsibility and corporate accountability? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
