Documentary film OCEAN with David Attenborough coming to National Geographic and Disney+ on 13 June

Thinus Ferreira

The new documentary film OCEAN with David Attenborough will be shown on National Geographic (DStv 181) on Friday 13 June at 20:30 and will also be released on Disney+.

Released to coincide with the 99th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, OCEAN with David Attenborough just had a special 2-day showing in Ster-Kinekor cinemas across South Africa.

OCEAN with David Attenborough is a Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios co-production, in association with All3Media International, National Geographic, and Minderoo Pictures.

The film is directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield and produced by Toby Nowlan.

OCEAN with David Attenborough is National Geographic's first collaboration with Sir David Attenborough and is released a week after World Oceans Day on 8 June. 

According to National Geographic, the film "draws upon extensive marine science and was supported by a team of scientific advisors, including National Geographic Pristine Seas founder, Dr. Enric Sala".

The documentary feature "takes audiences on a cinematic journey of wonder through the planet's most spectacular undersea habitats" with Sir David Attenborough showcasing diverse marine ecosystems, from bustling giant kelp jungles and coral reefs to seamount outposts within the open ocean - all of which are revealed to be intricately connected.

Although the film exposes the greatest threats to ocean health, it also has inspirational stories from around the world.

OCEAN with David Attenborough looks at how human actions are causing ocean ecosystem collapse and the effects of destructive fishing techniques, such as dredging and bottom trawling, on entire marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and the global climate. 

 The film also shows the oceans' incredible resilience and remarkable ability to recover when protected.

"My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man," says Sir David Attenborough in a supplied statement. 

"In this film, we share those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can bounce back to life."

Tom McDonald, National Geographic executive vice president of global factual and unscripted content, in a statement, says "I'm thrilled that audiences worldwide will be able to engage with Sir David's signature storytelling and the inspirational message of this film through the power of National Geographic's global platforms".

"There is no one better to deliver this landmark film than Sir David and I'm delighted that he’s working with National Geographic for the very first time on a subject that is timely and close to his heart."

National Geographic commissions David Attenborough: Ocean feature film documentary exposing 'the biggest problems facing our ocean'.

by Thinus Ferreira

National Geographic has commissioned David Attenborough: Ocean (working title) as a new feature film documentary in which the famed natural history conservationist will be the presenter looking at "how we can, and must restore the glory of Earth's vast, interconnected waters".

National Geographic says "After nearly a hundred years filming every aspect of the natural world, Attenborough delivers his most powerful message yet".

David Attenborough: Ocean is produced by Silverback with the backing of All3Media International and National Geographic. The film will premiere in some theatres around the world before then premiering on linear television on National Geographic and then moving to Disney+.

David Attenborough: Ocean will be directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield.

It's produced by Toby Nowlan for Silverback and the executive producers are Louise Pedersen and Rachel Job for All3Media International, Tom McDonald and Janet Han Vissering for National Geographic.

"In this feature-length special, he draws on his lifetime of knowledge and experience to take us on a journey of wonder through the planet's most spectacular undersea habitats, revealing that we are currently living in the greatest age of ocean discovery, and showing beyond doubt that it is the most important place on Earth," says National Geographic.

"Cameras will film across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania, capturing the practical and affordable solutions to reversing harmful human activity along coral reefs, mangroves, coastal communities, fish farms, marine sanctuaries and many other habitats in order to return the ocean to its most pristine and vibrant."

"While Attenborough exposes the biggest problems facing our ocean, his story is one of hope, and that in front of us is an opportunity for marine life to recover on a scale no one alive has ever seen before."

"It is clear without doubt that we can only stabilise the climate by restoring the ocean. David Attenborough: Ocean will amplify the solutions that are already at hand and ready to be immediately implemented to help turn the tide."

Sir David Attenborough, in the prepared statement, says "My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man".

"In this film, we share those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can bounce back to life."

Tom McDonald, National Geographic's executive vice president of global factual and unscripted content, says "ThereThere is no-one better to deliver this landmark film than Sir David".

"I have had the privilege and pleasure of working with him many times over the past decade, and so I am, of course, personally and professionally thrilled that he has agreed to work with National Geographic for the very first time on a subject that is timely and close to his heart".

The underwater cinematographer Doug Anderson responsible for the BBC's Blue Planet and Our Planet will be the director of underwater photography of David Attenborough: Ocean.