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Siffblog: March o' the Penguins - Individual
 
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July 2, 2005

March o' the Penguins

Gillian G. Gaar

This was to have run in the July Tablet, but it was cut. So I'm putting it here! Look for War of the Worlds and the SIFF party wrap-up soon...

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
Dir. Luc Jacquet
Rating: B

This film follows the Emperor penguins during mating season in Antarctica, which involves an arduous trek to the chosen territory, then mating and trying to keep an egg (and, hopefully, a chick) alive in sub-zero temperatures. The penguins are expectedly cute, and unexpectedly fuzzy, though there’s a tendancy to anthropomorphize them too much in the voice over (animals don’t have children, they have offspring). The filmmakers also tend to overemphasize the “wonder” and “miracle” of what the penguins go through, though the penguins wouldn’t see it that way; it’s just what nature has programmed them to do. Funny old thing, nature. A beautifully photographed film that gives you a look at something you wouldn’t ordinarily see. — Gillian G. Gaar

Posted by Gillian G. Gaar at July 2, 2005 11:08 AM
Comments

Gillian,

As the last screening came and went I missed out on March of The Penguins during SIFF. It was the only documentary this year I heard nothing but positive comments about so I had some regrets. Fortunately The Egyptian is running it this week and I was able to catch the 4:40 show this afternoon. Word must have gotten out because the audience was predominately families with children and older folks. I have seen quite a few of these things and I was very impressed with the beautiful photography and approach along with excellent editing. It's very easy to conclude the filmmakers that produced this really invested themselves in the project. Watching documentary work and all but forgetting the crew behind the camera is an indication of quality, the exact opposite of that horrible Caribou thing. This film was visual excellence. I did find the rather standard narration and musical score unnecessary. I wish more documentary filmmakers would realize they don't need these tiresome conventions if the content is this powerful. Sorry Tablet didn't run your review but I'm very glad you posted it here. You reminded me I had a second chance to see it.

Thanks, David

Posted by: David Jeffers at July 3, 2005 9:13 PM




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