Ever wanted to see what it might feel like to get close to a group of migrating birds? How about several groups? I would’ve answered something like, “I don’t know,” yesterday, but this movie just sort of happened for me and life is good.
In the spirit of Buddha, I’d say, this documentary was shot over three years and followed mostly migratory bird species across seven continents.
Released in 2001, oh don’t worry, this film was (and is, I suppose,) highly regarded. It was nominated for an Oscar for best documentary. It won several other awards over multiple categories across the globe.
“Le peuple migrateur” (“Winged Migration’s original French name) is comparable to “Baraka,” from 1992, by Ron Fricke in that the narration is kept to a minimal and the cinematography is breathtaking.
It’s not all soft and furry, either. Shots are fired, and birds fall from the sky when you least expect it.
Cinema Paradiso 