Our fresh water supplies … the rivers of this world … and their journeys around our planet …
Okavango delta - an inland one
in Botswana, Africa
River, rivers burning bright, sparkling perspicuity for life on earth … though this now is almost not so …
… recently we've had fire, floods, storms and all manner of natural plagues that our earth has to deal with, humans have to cope with as per their apparent ability to believe they can control ...
Ural River - flowing south from
Russian into Kazakhstan
… two mega river floodings very recently in the enormous continent that is Eurasia (Europe, Russia, China and the far East); fires burning again in western Canada …
We've manipulated some rivers – which haven't done us any favours … however to get back to my subject for Earth Day … the film 'River' – which our film society promoted in 2022 …
It's an Australian film – with an outstanding exploration of the timeless relationship between human civilisation and Earth's rivers, in all their majesty and fragility.
Pearl River basin
Six rivers in six continents … reflect the extraordinary differences of each of these water-courses … I cannot now remember exactly which rivers were highlighted …
There's captivating cinematography, with distinctive narration from Willem Dafoe, the music score is exceptional … and is available to listen to …
Our six continents
(Eurasia counts as one)
I've been wanting to write about this film for ages and need to re-watch it … there's so much to it – and I often need to see or read things twice to absorb the salient bits I can get my head around …
If you get a chance do watch 'River' – it is different … the trailer (2.28 mins) will tempt you to see the film …
Poster for the film
As the tag line notes: 'The arteries of the planet are the arteries of humanity' – it is a cinematic odyssey exploring the waterways that have shaped our world, in all their majesty and fragility.
The score features iconic works by composers including Bach and Ravel, music by Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead, new original music by Richard Tognetti and the peerless indigenous composer William Barton …
Please see Wikipedia for further details of
these amazing instruments - the didgeridoo
Australian Chamber Orchestra logo
Jennifer Peedom's astonishing visuals are extraordinarily powerful … reminding us of the fragility of this world, and the damage we, as humans, are doing to it - we are poisoning it …
Let us seriously reflect … each day we must do a little more to help life on earth … the rivers are our life-blood …
Belated Earth Day … take your time, absorb the film and its impact …
Directors Jennifer Peedom and Joseph Nizeti;
Robert McFarlane's accompanying words, narrated by Willem Dafoe;
Music by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and Radiohead;
Conductor, composer and artistic director – the Australian violinist Richard Tognetti; and indigenous composer William Barton, and didgeridoo player.
Enjoy – it will make you think …
Australian Chamber Orchestra 'River' film link ...
IMBd - link to trailer for 'River' ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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