The
National Film Board of Canada, Glacialis Productions, Gedeon Programmes
and CBC Television proudly announce the national broadcast premiere
of Arctic Mission, a 5-part documentary series shot in high definition,
on The Nature of Things with David Suzuki. The Great Adventure,
the first film to launch the series, explores the unforgiving nature
of the Arctic landscape and its impact on modern-day explorers.
In
The Great Adventure, filmmakers Jean Lemire and Thierry Piantanida
and the crew of the Sedna IV undertake a five-month, 2100 kilometre
scientific mission to record the impact of global warming on the
Arctic. This thrilling documentary shows the crew as they navigate
a three-mast sailing ship though the legendary Northwest Passage
- a treacherous, ice-filled channel that has captured the imaginations
of great explorers for centuries. The Great Adventure was written
and directed by Jean Lemire and Thierry Piantanida and narrated
by Joël Le Bigot and Jean Lemire. Broadcasts are Wednesday,
January 28, 7 PM, and Sunday, February 1, 5 PM. All times a half
hour later in Newfoundland.
In
Lords of the Arctic, Nature of Things director and wildlife
specialist Caroline Underwood follows the eight seasons of Inuit
culture. Her extraordinary footage of polar bears, thick-billed
murres, bowhead whales, muskox, caribou and plankton is a precious
source of information about climate change. Written by Jean Lemire
and Caroline Underwood, directed by Caroline Underwood and narrated
by David Suzuki, Lords of the Arctic broadcast is Wednesday, February
4, 7 PM.
People
of the Ice is a remarkable film by director Carlos Ferrand that
observes climate change through the eyes of Inuit from several generations.
For 4,000 years, the Inuit have lived in harmony with their Arctic
environment, but today, global warming threatens their habitat.
Will this extraordinarily resilient people be able to adjust? Written
by Carlos Ferrand and Jean Lemire, directed by Carlos Ferrand and
narrated by David Suzuki, People of the Ice broadcasts on Wednesday,
February 11, 7 PM, and Sunday, February 15, 5 PM.
In
Washed Away, filmmaker Patricio Henriquez visits communities
struggling to prevent the disappearance of land due to the ecological
impact of the industrialized world. Leading scientists stress the
urgent need to reduce fossil fuel consumption to protect future
generations and pose the question, Are world leaders willing to
act before its too late? Written by Patricio Henriquez and
Jean Lemire and directed by Patricio Henriquez, Washed Away broadcasts
are Wednesday, February 18, 7 PM, and Sunday, February 22, 5 PM.
In
Climate on the Edge director Alain Belhumeur meets scientists
who predict a series of devastating upheavals due to global warming.
In the Arctic, the most acute sign of impending disaster is the
melting of the permafrost, resulting in the release of greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. The survival of the Arctic
ecosystem is at risk. Written by Jean Lemire and Alain Belhumeur,
directed by Alain Belhumeur and narrated by David Suzuki, Climate
on the Edge broadcasts are Wednesday, February 25, 7 PM, and Sunday,
February 29, 5 PM.
Arctic
Mission was produced by Glacialis Productions (Jean Lemire) in co-production
with The National Film Board of Canada (Éric Michel, Colette
Loumède and Sally Bochner) and Gedeon Programmes (Stéphane
Millière), in association with CBCs The Nature of Things
(Michael Allder). More information can be found at www.nfb.ca/sedna/articmission
. The NFB web page will be linked to a features page on the
series at The Nature of Things with David Suzuki website at www.cbc.ca/natureofthings
.
About
the NFB
Since its
creation in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada has produced
over 10,000 films and other audiovisual works, and won over 4000
awards - including 10 Oscars®. As Canada's public film producer,
the NFB produces and distributes distinctive, culturally diverse,
challenging and relevant audiovisual works that provide Canada and
the world with a unique Canadian perspective. To purchase NFB releases
or for more information, visit www.nfb.ca
or call 1-800-267-7710.
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