Born to Be Wild

David Lickley
Morgan Freeman, Biruté Galdikas, Vanessa Sheldrick
2011
USA
Completed
English
40 minutes
Detailed introduction
This film (drama)Also known asBorn to Be Wild,is aUSAProducerwomen sex,At2011Released in year
。The dialogue language isEnglish,Current Douban rating8.6(For reference only)。
"Born to Be Wild" tells the story of the relationship between human rescuers and orphaned wildlife. Some animals become orphans shortly after birth for various reasons and are vulnerable in the wild, making them prone to death. At this moment, kind-hearted people step in as "saviors," with conservation groups, wildlife rescue organizations, and some environmentalists voluntarily and consciously beginning efforts to save orphaned wildlife. In "Born to Be Wild," audiences can see how elephants and orangutans, just born, receive meticulous care at rescue centers and ultimately return to the wild. Viewers also witness the efforts and struggles of the world-famous primatologist Biruté Mary Galdikas in protecting the orangutan populations. Behind the scenes A 17-year wish Seventeen years ago, the screenwriter and producer Drew Fellman traveled to Southeast Asia, visiting Borneo and renowned zoologist Biruté Mary Galdikas. Upon returning, he was consumed by the idea of turning Galdikas's story into an IMAX film. Although IMAX was born in the 1970s, the idea of shooting an IMAX documentary remained theoretical in 1994 when Fellman had his epiphany. This thought lingered in his mind for year after year. Over a decade later, a friend showed him a news clip about Dame Daphne Sheldrick caring for orphaned elephants in Kenya. After seeing this story, Fellman felt a strong connection between the two women's narratives, believing they could be presented alongside each other in a single film. Fellman stated, "They are the true heroes and environmentalists of our planet." To best showcase the lushness of the subtropical rainforests and the grandeur of the African plains—in other words, to highlight the species and environmental diversity of both locations—Fellman chose IMAX and the then cutting-edge 3D technology as the film's foundation. He explained, "Anyone who has been there is astonished by the diversity of life on Earth. The species diversity in Borneo is beyond imagination; even today, people haven't fully grasped how many species exist there. Therefore, to create an immersive and unforgettable viewing experience, using 3D with IMAX was the most suitable choice." The combination of IMAX, 3D, and ecological documentary soon attracted director David Lickley. Lickley, a director focused on IMAX-format ecological documentaries, had directed several such films, boasting considerable experience. He remarked, "There’s nothing more exciting than directing a film like this. When we navigate different countries with our large equipment, I feel it's the most wonderful thing in the world because our work allows audiences worldwide to see nature on Earth. If you can't be out in the field or witness these beings firsthand, seeing them in IMAX is the next best thing." To ensure the best IMAX-3D visuals, Lickley recruited the crew from "Deep Sea 3D." He said, "Operating IMAX-3D equipment is very complex and intricate, so finding the most experienced crew was key to the filming. That's why I brought in the team from 'Deep Sea 3D'; they're all industry elites and the cornerstone of a flawless shoot." Driven by a love for environmentalism and a sense of responsibility, renowned actor Morgan Freeman volunteered to narrate the film. Freeman's iconic voice greatly enhanced the film. Regarding this work, Freeman said, "This film tells the great work of two great women, and their actions moved me. I approached the narration with immense respect. I think it’s time to pay attention to biological and environmental issues. While we do care, it’s not enough." Filming and nostalgia As the filming progressed into essential phases, the crew faced challenges on location. The greatest challenges arose from the natural environment in one of the filming locations, Borneo. According to the script's design, the crew was to follow a pair of young orangutans growing healthily under human care and returning to nature. Capturing images of human care was not hard since most of it occurred at Galdikas’s rescue center. The challenge lay in filming the orangutans' reintroduction to the wild. Fellman said, "This is the emotional climax of the story, as the ultimate goal of rescuing animals is to return them to the wild; otherwise, they might as well go to a zoo. But doing so means they are no longer wild animals." The crew tracked the orangutans named Siniga and Puska, following them deep into the rainforest. The dense vegetation made it difficult for the crew, equipped with giant gear, to move around. David Lickley remarked, "I was determined to make this film. It would be a failure and regret to abandon filming the releasing of animals just because of difficulties. The entire crew was united and motivated because Galdikas, at over 60, had lived with orangutans in the wild for decades. What couldn’t we overcome? Besides, if we didn’t capture these moments, then the documentary would be pointless, as it would only contain content similar to most documentaries aired on television." The second story in the film focuses on Dame Daphne Sheldrick rescuing elephants in Kenya, filmed in a national park there. Since Kenya frequently appears in various documentaries, and there are existing films about Sheldrick, the crew completed the filming of the elephant rescue program in just five weeks. Lickley said, "Filming in Africa went smoothly and joyfully because we didn’t have to overcome as many challenges as in the tropical rainforest, and the elephant rescue efforts were well-supported by the local government and national policies. In contrast, the orangutans in Borneo largely rely on Galdikas's efforts. I hope that after this film's release, everyone will pay more attention to Borneo and the animals we often overlook." After returning to the U.S., the entire crew collectively felt a nostalgic connection to nature. Freeman said, "This was an unforgettable experience. After going through all of this, I reflect upon my behaviors. After all, the Earth does not belong solely to humanity." Director Lickley commented, "While I had filmed animal documentaries before, I had never focused on Asian orangutans or learned about elephants' lives. This filming deeply impacted me, first regarding nature, and secondly, concerning those scientists willing to give everything in nature. Because of their efforts, we can appreciate the astonishing biodiversity in this world." Among the crew, Drew Fellman felt the strongest nostalgia for nature as he had prepared for this project for over a decade. He stated, "Making this film has added another hometown to my heart: wildlife and nature. Their existence proves humanity's existence, and their living environment is closely tied to ours. I hope everyone who leaves the cinema will feel compelled to do something, because there is only one Earth, and in a sense, humanity and wildlife are 'kin.'" Extras - The film features 12 scenes shot with 4K resolution IMAX digital cameras, the first time such machines have been used for feature films. - The digital IMAX camera weighs 75 pounds (approximately 34 kg), one-fourth the weight of traditional film-based IMAX cameras. - This film is among the earliest documentaries made in 3D-IMAX format. - The film premiered on March 30, 2011, at the IMAX theater of the Science Center in Montreal, Canada, with attendees from several Canadian schools. - The film was shot in Borneo, Asia, and Kenya, Africa. - Biruté Mary Galdikas featured in the film is the world’s most renowned primatologist. Since she was 25 in 1971, she has lived with orangutans, conducting the world's longest continuous study of a single species of wild mammal.