Dear all I¹ve just viewed the shorts of this production, on the life cycle of a family of Carnaby¹s Cockatoos, and it blew my socks off (or would have had our weather been cooler!).
This documentary is the work of Leighton de Barros, a brilliant cinematographer, and his partner Jodie. Leighton, who worked on the series Big Cat Diary, also produced Whale Patrol, one of the best docos I have ever seen.
Some years ago Leighton and I worked together on a documentary filmed on my relatives¹ country, Baby Dreaming, in Arnhem Land. His courage, humour and basic decency endeared him to us all. He takes those qualities into his films along with stunning cinematography and a great story.
But be warned. As with Whale Patrol – he doesn¹t pull any punches, and the sight of a dead cockatoo (shot, I might add) will upset some. However, I think the juxtaposition of life and death, shooter and the teams of people trying to pull the Carnaby¹s back from the brink of extinction make compelling viewing. Rarely have I been able to say that about a wildlife documentary (I¹d rather be in the bush than sitting back in the comfort of my home viewing it on a small screen).
I wouldn¹t miss this documentary for the world, and I¹ll be adding it to my Christmas shopping list. I¹d better add that I¹ve no financial interest in this film.
