There are few who do not recognize his voice – who is famous for highlighting rare and incredible stories from the natural and animal world.
Now 94-year-old Sir David Attenborough is releasing his probably latest documentary: “A Life On Our Planet”.
– I have not taken over everything I have been involved in, or the effects it has had, until very recently, Attenborough says about his life’s work when NRK meets him in London.
The documentary is the most personal he has made so far. He even calls it a biography.
– Very few in the nineties have the opportunity to look exactly back in time at what they have done and said in the twenties. I have this opportunity, and this gift, says the natural historian.
The documentary is probably the most personal he has made. He himself calls it a biography.
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Realistic dystopia
The film, which has its world premiere on September 28, is a look back at a 60-year career.
Among other things, he reflects on the great changes he has witnessed over time, and settles with humanity – and what he believes should be done to stop climate change.
He has seen a lot during his 93 years on the planet. In the beginning of the film, we meet a seriously burdened Attenborough in Chernobyl, Ukraine, where he says that our planet is heading for disaster.
– This film is my testimony and my vision for the future. The story of how we came to make this our biggest mistake, and how we can still rectify it if we act, Attenborough says in the film.
The Chernobyl accident in 1986 is the most serious nuclear accident in the world, and in the documentary Chernobyl becomes the metaphor for a major mistake.
– We chose Chernobyl because it is a living example that if you give nature a small chance to recover, it will. This was a deadly nuclear forceexplosion, but today nature grows there and animals have returned. It is incredible, says Attenborough to NRK.
The film premieres on September 28, after being postponed due to the corona pandemic.
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He himself says that the job would not have been possible without director Jonnie Hughes.
– He directed and wrote the film, along with the material I have from my life, says Attenborough, pointing to Hughes sitting next to him.
– The film is quite dystopian?
– It is not dystopian, it is realistic. It gets a little dark sometimes, but this is what science says we have in front of us, says Hughes, before he adds that the end is more towards the utopian, Hughes answers.
– Then we try to say that there is a future out there that we can seize now. We can solve these problems and get back in balance with nature. This is the key theme of the whole movie. Because we are out of balance now, he says.
The film premieres on September 28, and will soon be available on Netflix. It was originally scheduled to be launched in April, but due to the coronavirus this was postponed.
Attenborough talks about his meeting with Greta Thunberg.
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Regrettable message to the younger ones
Last year, he met for the first time the climate activist Greta Thunberg (17), who has taken the initiative for school strikes for the climate all over the world.
– I can see why she convinces large crowds. She is incredibly clairvoyant, and talks so strongly about what she believes in, says the 94-year-old about the meeting.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg talks to legendary nature documentary filmmaker David Attenborough.
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When asked if he has a message for the younger generation, he is ready.
– I can only apologize. That’s what I can do. My future is limited, but I see what my generation has done for them. It’s not so much good, but a lot that is harmful, says Attenborough.
– What is the solution for the future?
– That we can extract energy directly from the sun, so that it becomes available to the whole world. I think it will be crucial to think carefully about how we will use the knowledge of the future correctly.
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