THE DISENCHANTED FOREST

Documentary

Director Sarita Siegel

UK, 2002, 52 minutes, color

WATCH FULL FILM  |  WATCH THE TRAILER

SYNOPSIS:

Deep in the Bornean rainforest Dr. Anne Russon, primate psychologist is broaching new territory in the quest to understand orangutan intelligence and psychology. Her research provides vital information for Dr. Willie Smits who directs The Wanariset Orangutan Reintroduction Project. Dr. Smits is committed to preserving orangutan habitat and returning captive orangutans back into their rainforest homes.

CAST AND CREDITS:

Director: Sarita Siegel

Starring: Dr. Anne Russon and Dr. Willie Smits

Narrator: Brooke Shields

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THE DISENCHANTED FOREST

Documentary

Director Sarita Siegel, UK, 2002, 52 min, color

WATCH FULL FILM  |  WATCH THE TRAILER

OVERVIEW:

Two years in the making, “The Disenchanted Forest” is an intimate portrayal of the world of orangutans, the threats to their survival and the people committed to help them thrive. But it is even more that that, we focus on the recent discovery that orangutans do not rely on animal instinct for survival, but instead have a culture that they preserve from generation to generation.

Orphaned orangutans are taken into rehabilitation to relearn from human caregivers the vital cultural skills they need to survive in the rainforest. These tenacious young apes are released and in the absence of mothers or elders they eventually learn to sustain themselves independently of human aid.

FILM FESTIVALS:

Mill Valley International Film Festival

Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival

Ekotopfilm, Slovakia

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Cork International Film Festival

Tahoe International Film Festival

Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival

Breckenridge International Film Festival

San Diego Asian American Film Festival

River Run Film Festival

Temecula Valley Film Festival

Gaia Film Festival, San Diego

Sedona Film Festival

Tangle River Environmental Film Festival

Artivist Film Festival

San Diego Asian American Film Festival

Portobello Film Festival, London

Reel to Real Festival, Vancouver

Wildscreen, Bristol

Brussels Film Festival

Jackson Hole Film Festival

International Wildlife Film Festival

Angelciti International Film Festival

AWARDS:

Finalist Marion Zentz Best Newcomer Award, Jackson Hole Film Festival, 2001

Commendation, The Genesis Awards, 2002

Merit Award for Educational Value & Merit Award for Production Value, International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula Montana, 2002

2nd Place, EarthVision Environmental Film & Video Competition, 2001

Merit Award Columbus, Ohio, Los Angeles

Best Cinematography, Festival du Cinéma de Bruxelles, 2004

‘The Disenchanted Forest’ Trailer was a finalist in the Missoula Montana Wildlife Film Festival & Angelciti Int’l Film Festival.

Second Best Primate Film (professional category) International Primatological Society, August 2008