British naturalist and renowned documentary filmmaker David Attenborough, famous for his documentaries on animals and the environment, is premiering his new film “Ocean” on Tuesday in London. The film will be released on Thursday, his 99th birthday, in which he condemns industrial fishing practices.
For decades, the British naturalist traveled the globe dressed in beige trousers and a blue shirt, bringing back often unseen footage from jungles, deserts, and oceans.
His 1979 series Life on Earth was watched by 500 million people worldwide.
Although he no longer travels the world, he continues to present documentaries with his distinctive voice and measured tone.
In his new film, he expresses concern about the state of the oceans and condemns industrial fishing methods.
« Having spent my life filming nature, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not the land, » he says in the trailer for his new film. « We need to open our eyes to what’s happening beneath the waves. »
He paints a grim picture. « We have emptied the life from our oceans, » he continues. « But if we save the sea, we save our world. »
The film will be released in UK cinemas on Thursday, followed by a broadcast in early June on National Geographic and Disney+.
In honor of David Attenborough’s 99th birthday, the British newspaper The Guardian asked 99 prominent figures to explain in a few words what he represents.
« I know, from watching David’s shows, that our ecosystems are all interconnected, and that if just one country does the right thing but not others, we won’t solve the problem, » said former US President Barack Obama.
For singer Billie Eilish, he is « a living treasure. » « David Attenborough’s love and deep knowledge of our planet and the animal kingdom bring out the childlike curiosity in all of us, » she added.
