STARRING
Narrated by Michael York WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY
Michael Seaward MPAA RATING
NR RUNNING TIME
82 Mins. DISTRIBUTED BY
FilmWorks Entertainment (DVD) DVD EXTRAS
Movie Trailer; Deleted Scenes; The Making of Earth Songs; Photo Gallery
"Earth Songs" a Relaxing and Visually Stunning Documentary
It's no surprise that Earth Songs, a nature documentary currently available on home video courtesy of FilmWorks Entertainment, has a remarkably meditative quality about it. There are none of the faux dramatics often found in nature documentaries, with writer/director Brian Seaward instead instilling in the film a contemplative reflection that will likely either leave you calm and relaxed or craving much, much more.
While the film isn't for everyone, it's truly not intended for everyone. The film was filmed over two years in some of the most pristine and beautiful places on the planet including Greenland, Patagonia, Hawaii, Iceland, Peru, Alaska, The Caribbean, New Zealand and the Canadian Rockies. The visuals are the important thing here, though they are accompanied by an equally placid narration courtesy of actor Michael York.
Earth Songs also features a mystical and serene original score featuring the likes of Michael Hoppe, Secret Garden, Keola Beamer and Craig Armstrong and is arranged by Emmy Award-winning composer Brian Keane.
According to Seaward, Earth Songs "was created as a unique relaxation DVD for these troubled times." Earth Songs is being made available to hospitals across the country for in-house cable programming for cancer patients and the chronically ill with one dollar from the sale of each DVD being donated to the American Cancer Society.
For those who've grown accustomed to the recent barrage of nature docs put forth by the likes of DisneyNature, Earth Songs will likely feel a bit retro even with its clearly advanced technical achievements and stellar camera work. Earth Songs is slower placed than most older docs, but is clearly geared more towards celebrating nature and creating a peaceful feeling than it is necessarily shooting for entertainment value.
Yet, it is entertaining. If you can surrender to its serenity, the 82 minute running time of Earth Songs will be a time in which you will love watching Seaward's amazing cinematography and you will be able to surrender yourself to the visual and auditory peace that envelopes you.
