"This inspirational film weaves together NZ's stunning landscapes, eclectic characters and unique sounds in a poetic message of protection for Planet Earth ..." - Nick Smith, New Zealand Minister for the Environment & Climate Change.
view CTV interview with director Kathleen Gallagher on the "Good Living" show on CTV
Published: 9:28PM Saturday May 09, 2009
Original Source: ONE News
Biker gets starring role in Kiwi eco movie (1:53)
Earth Whisperer: Papatuanuku
Wickcandle Productions
Directed and produced by Kathleen Gallagher
Review: Michael Hill
In her latest DVD Earth Whisperer Papatuanuku, Kathleen Gallagher has created for us a journey of delight.
Kathleen is director and co-producer but in truth it has been a family enterprise. Watching it makes you realise how incredibly beautiful is this land of Aotearoa and how fortunate we are to live here.
The common thread is reverence for mother earth, Papatuanuku. Some of the episodes are pure stories of conservation, such as the successful campaigns to save Lake Manapouri in the '70s (Alan Mark) and against the logging of the West Coast forests in the '80s (Craig Potton). Others speak of the gathering of medicinal herbs, the preservation of native seed, the restoration of the bush and the regeneration of native forests, the creation of good fertile soil for growing vegetables. But some simply rejoice in gathering the kai of the forest to grace the tables of gourmet dining (Charles Royal) and chanting the dream of a Maori kuia (Makere Ruka) for the re-creation of Maori culture.
There is much wisdom uttered and some delightful flashes of humour. There are many incidental references to the importance of not simply going it alone but taking the people with you. To give one example (out of many little gems of wisdom): Craig Potton talks about how to bring about social change. "When you demonstrate, do it tactfully and only when you have no other cards to play. Then the public will get behind you. Social change starts always from a few dedicated individuals."
Kay Baxter speaks passionately that people must get back to growing their own food. Our food is the link to the earth we stand on: "There is no separation between our bodies and Papatuanuku... we should trust our wairua (intuition)"
As more than one of our guides emphasised, what we were being taken on was a journey of spiritual healing, one profoundly educational. Little wonder that at the June launch in Dunedin, Mayor Peter Chin expressed the hope that this DVD would be shown in all schools, but he would certainly want his City Councillors to see it!
Papatuanuku is simply a huge pleasure to watch, to sit back and luxuriate in the beauty of our native birds and their song, the splendid variety of scenery, the haunting background waiata accompanied by pipes. The scenes flow into each other seamlessly and build to a wonderful climax in Makere Ruka's moving and poetic dream. She stresses that the important ones are the mokopuna, our grandchildren; she speaks out eloquently for the role of women who better to look after papatuanuku than the women of Aotearoa?
But perhaps most beautiful of all are the faces of our guides on this journey Maori and pakeha, men and women, young and not so young who rejoice in the sheer creativity and enterprise for good to be found in the Land of the long White Cloud.
Kathleen Gallagher has recorded for us, and celebrated, a transformation of our land, a quiet revolution which would receive little mention in the National Business Review. Did you know that now, as a result of the efforts of many anonymous Kiwis, one third of our forests, wetlands, coasts and mountains are protected in perpetuity? No taonga more precious than that!
NZine reviewed by Dorothy Hunt
Expecting a film such as Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth working its way through issues, I was initially unprepared for the impact of this film coming at its subject matter from a more open, wide angle than the dialectic of documentaries created around narration.
On the second viewing I appreciated it more as it was surely intended, as glimpses of the beauty of Aotearoa/New Zealand artistically interwoven with natural up-close filming of individuals imparting their attunement to the natural environment of their country.
The camera skilfully takes us across significant landscapes and finds these folk in places to which they feel connected. One can watch and listen from a place of absorption, carried along by the reverential and haunting themes of Richard Nunn's music. We are taken into the place where people and nature meet with a positive dream, taken close to sensing the spiritual connection with the earth, the goddess Papatuanuku as known to the Tangata Whenua (people of the land).
Beside this we also encounter through the recollections related to us the extraordinary effectiveness of New Zealanders committed to preserving and caring for the uniqueness and power of the Aotearoa natural environment.
This film is important to local and national Govt. and those that make decisions day by day. The photography is spectacular The people are wonderful - just ordinary folk doing extraordinary things. What I liked about the film - we dont all have to be ecological warriors but we all have to be aware of our actions. Thank you. Congratulations to all involved. Nona Gaskin Deputy Mayor, Gisborne
I saw it yesterday at the Matakana Cinema and was deeply impressed with all aspects of the film - its bicultural and ecological vision and honouring of those who have paved the way forward Please also pass on my congratulations to Kathleen Gallagher for such a stunning and inspiring film. - tau ke! Kia kaha- . Dr Cathie Koa Dunsford, Matakana
"This film, set in superb scenery, will appeal to all people with a genuine desire to make a difference."
Kevin Winters, Mayor, Rotorua
I have just got back from the screening of Earth Whisperers/Papatuanuku at our local cinema on Waiheke.
Im total stunned /inspired enlivened and blowning out by the subtle immensity of this fantastic film.the people,the filming ,the pace ,the music, the wairua,the mauri of this beautiful land. Thank you and bless your vision and creative gifts
Everybody enjoyed the 'Earthwhisperers' in Kaiwaka very much. Thanks for making such an inspiring documentary. I LOVED the photography, the easy flow of the movie speaking to many senses and the passion and determination of each of the people presented. Sabine Kaiwaka
just wanted to say how wonderful the film is, was thoroughlyinspired and moved. Wishing you all the best and an abundant stream of creativity! Ingeborg/Prajnasahaya, Waiheke Island
Thank you and congratulations to all involved with Earth Whisperers. Beautifully shot, great stories, diversity of viewpoints, but with a single heart and message about saving and restoring our planet.
Thanks for the vision and commitment to this story, and the willingness to help shift consciousness. Arohanui, Fiona Campbell, Melbourne
Look at the Earth Whisperers movie the thought/action that is happening as a result of viewing that. Margaret Jefferies
We just saw the Earth Whisperers and are overwhelmed with joy and inspiration.Thank you so much. Sandra Genochio
This was pure visual spiritual, mental and emotional inspiration. Such insight into helping us understand what fabulous and fragile world we live + how we need to nurture what we've got and not take Aotearoa for granted. Anne Cheney Rotorua
Extremely absorbing ... each of these stories would be worthy of a longer treatment ... left me wanting more. Worth seeking out." - Dan Slevin, Capital Times, Wellington.
Port Hills' MP, Ruth Dyson
I was privileged to attend the premiere of "The Earth Whisperers" at the Hollywood Theatre in Sumner recently. I found it to be a very moving film, showing people from one end of New Zealand to another who are demonstrating their commitment to a sustainable future.
The passion of Kathleen Gallagher is just fantastic and is reflected in the way the film threads the strands of different people together. The down-to-earth (literally) understanding, energy and consistency of the people whose lives are reflected in the film gave me a reassurance and confidence in the well-being of our society and our future.
It is a film to be relished!
Ruth Dyson, MP, Port Hills
"This is the 'film of the year!' - I sank inside this film The soundtrack is extraordinary." - Bob Harvey, Waitakere Mayor
"A beautifully filmed documentary about New Zealanders making a difference by protecting and caring for the New Zealand environment." Nicky Hager, Researcher and Writer, Wellington
"I think the film is absolutely wonderful and my two friends thought the same ... each person's story melted into the next ... the photography was breathtakingly beautiful. The sound track made us feel as if we were there, out in the open on mountainside, plain or deep in the bush." Eileen Pearce Bayswater, Auckland
"Simply stunning! The trees, birds, mountains and especially the faces of the people in this film." Jeanette Fitzsimons, former co-leader, Green Party, Coromandel
"Every council member, every council, every council worker, every child in every school in New Zealand should see this film ... if I can help this happen in any way, I will!" Peter Chin, Mayor, Dunedin
"I found this a very moving film, showing people from one end of New Zealand to the other demonstrating their commitment to a sustainable future ... it gave me a reassurance and confidence in the well-being of our society and out future ... a film to be relished!" Ruth Dyson, Labour MP for Port Hills, Christchurch
"With climate change one of the most pressing issues of our time, this is a must-see movie that demands personal reflection and a personal response from every single person who watches it. Don't miss it." - Ingrid Leary, Country Director, British Council
Gen couldn't go as she had something else on... but I went and loved it! How inspiring, you have produced a beautiful and challenging piece of work - congratulations! Mary O'Malley, Ponsonby Auckland
The planets aligned in the weekend and I managed to sneak away from the family to see the film "Earth Whisperers/Papatuanuku" on Sunday morning. It is so inspiring to hear and see what can be achieved through belief, dedication, and passion. - Suzanne Kendrick, Grey Lynn
I found this film a profound and very beautiful essay on the need for the assisted regeneration of our significantly despoiled earth, and the rich, quiet and industrious response of the group of ten dedicated individuals to that need. - Sally Kester, Perth, Australia