Planet Ocean
Planet Ocean is a beautifully shot documentary that takes us on a beautiful adventure into one of the strangest places on earth – the ocean. Directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand – renowned environmentalist, journalist and photographer whose previous environmental documentary credits include The Home Project – this award-winning documentary explores the relationship between Earth’s oceans and the planet’s entire ecosystem .
Unlike other ocean documentaries such as The Deep, Ocean Planet does not focus on a specific ecosystem or habitat, but on the entire planet as an ecosystem. As the film takes us through a series of events (sailfish depend on mackerel; mackerel depend on zooplankton; zooplankton depend on marine grasslands), it aims not only to show how food chains work, but also how inextricably linked all life is . What happened to our oceans is happening to us.
The ocean supports us: not only through fishing (which feeds some 500 million people), but through the algae used in medicines, fabrics, fertilizers and food. Yet, globally, 80 percent of commercial fish stocks have been declared overfished or completely depleted. Our fisheries are at their peak: the human footprint is felt everywhere.
Planet Ocean showcases the grandeur and openness of Earth’s oceans. The same dangers that threaten the entire planet also threaten us. The documentary claims that the greatest threat to our oceans is humans. Ironically, this means we are also the greatest threat to ourselves. In contrast to the more common omniscient perspective and narration that allow the viewer to remain a detached observer, Planet Ocean’s unique use of first-person narration engages the viewer directly with the subject matter.
There is no obvious call-to-action for the characters in the film; however, it conveys an awareness that conservation is a shared global responsibility. While the documentary warns that we must learn to live in harmony with the ocean—because it is our responsibility (and in our own interest) to protect and respect our planet, Planet Ocean also points out that it’s not too late. Humanity can still redeem itself.
