Dir: Sturla Gunnarsson
Featuring: David Suzuki
The Film:
As someone who is mostly unfamiliar with David Suzuki, I wasn’t sure what a film about the man would be like. As I do, I love documentaries and I also love discovering ones that might have a subject matter new to me. This was those things and just overall a fabulous film and a wonderful in-sight into the life of David Suzuki.
This film has a great format, it meshes parts of David’s lectures with scenes of him traveling to places from his life and exploring all the different aspects. So in short it gives you a look at what he teaches and then the man behind it. It is really well put together and it certainly gives the audience (whether you know much about Suzuki or not) a very fulfilling look at a fascinating man.
The parts of the film that deal more personally with Suzuki is pretty much done in a chronological order, going back to the days of his early childhood to what he has become. His story is one that is quite motivational, really showing that despite the challenges that life throws at you, there are ways you can move forward and live a full life. He went on to schooling and found himself working as a scientist and this led him to so many different things.
He really does seem like an extraordinary man, yet the people who he has had in life his seem to have had such a strong influence on him. He takes so much on-board and isn’t afraid to speak up about things. Watching all of this unfold, is really interesting and I gained such an understanding and appreciation for someone and their life’s long work.
Force Of Nature really is something that is accessible for everyone, and I recommend that everyone seek it out and give it a shot. It is a learning experience and quite eye opening; most importantly it will make you think. It is beautifully shot and the ‘archive footage’ is edited in really well. It looks amazing and it flows really well, pacing is so important in a documentary and this got it so right.
Ultimately this is going to be an experience that you will judge not on a filmmaking standpoint but on an emotional one. This was a highly satisfying experience for me, and I enjoyed this immensely. Force Of Nature is easily one of the best documentaries I have seen in 2011, and I can’t recommend it enough.
The Australian DVD:
The DVD I reviewed was a screener, so I am unable to comment on Picture/Audio quality.
Rating:
DVD details here.
Thanks to Bill (Gryphon Entertainment) care of Curious Films for the copy.
The Super Network 