On May 8th at 6:55 PM, tune in to Arte for the broadcast of the documentary film « When Whales and Turtles Show Us the Way. » This original production by Tec Tec Production, directed by Rémy Tézier and narrated by Cécile de France, an actress committed to environmental conservation, tells the incredible story of the return of whales and turtles to the waters around Réunion Island. (photo above: © IRT / TEC TEC Production / Aline Escalon)
Marine ecosystems around the world are in danger. In Réunion, whales and turtles had almost vanished from the underwater landscape. However, in recent years, these fascinating creatures have been returning and making the island’s waters their home again. In July 2019, hundreds of humpback whales gathered near the West coast of the intense island to breed and give birth to their calves. This extraordinary spectacle has become an annual event, evoking much anticipation and emotion each time.
In this documentary film, which stands as a promise of reconciliation between humans and animals, the French director aimed to immortalize this long-awaited return by focusing on Réunion Island. On the island, local initiatives combined with strong international political decisions, such as the protective measures implemented in the 1990s and the cessation of poaching, along with the international moratorium on whale hunting signed in 1982, have allowed nature to finally reclaim its rights.
Rémy Tézier is an established director, behind several documentaries broadcast on television, through collections like « Adventure & Discoveries » or « The Forgotten Islands. » This nature enthusiast has won several dozen international awards for his works.
It is his knowledge of marine life and the seabed, which he has studied for 30 years, along with cutting-edge equipment, that have enabled Rémy Tézier and his team to capture essential moments of the lives of whales and turtles. To better understand their behaviors and the reasons for their return, « When Whales and Turtles Show Us the Way… » meets « Ti bouchon » a young calf, from his birth in Réunion to his departure for Antarctica, and « Petite cabosse, » a marine turtle that grew up in Réunion and is about to return to her birthplace to reproduce.
For 43 minutes, this captivating documentary tells the story that binds humans and these incredible marine creatures, a true ode to nature and its biodiversity, not to be missed!
Discover the special issue dedicated to diving at Réunion Island in issue No. 5 of Plongez!