Watch Sacred Planet
- G
- 2004
- 40 min
-
6.0 (359)
Sacred Planet is a breathtaking documentary that takes the viewers on a remarkable journey around the world's most remote locations, from the towering peaks of Tibet to the vast deserts of Africa. The film, produced by Robert Redford and narrated by Arapata McKay, explores the complex relationship between nature and human beings. The documentary aims to show how different ancient cultures around the world connect with nature and how it influences their way of life.
The film's stunning visuals provide a sense of what it is like to witness nature's grandeur firsthand. It covers a broad spectrum of breathtaking landscapes and ecosystems from around the world, created through time-lapse photography and aerial shots, providing a groovy, hypnotic experience that captivates viewers from all generations. It is a compelling spectacle for people of any age interested in the natural world and our relationship to it.
Through exploring the cultures of the various remote communities the film visits, it explores the drivers of environmental degradation that threaten what has been sacred for thousands of years. The documentary urges audiences to take action to preserve these sacred places and support conservation initiatives working with Indigenous communities who are the guardians of these unique ecosystems.
The film includes a ton of incredible scenes and moments that showcase the beauty and mystery of different natural environments. We see the majestic Dharma Peak in Tibet, which boasts of incredible geological features, including a giant gash running from its peak to its base. The movie also takes viewers to the United States' Navajo Nation, where we observe the traditional Native American way of taking care of the natural environment.
Furthermore, the documentary highlights the role of Indigenous people in maintaining sacred sites and in sustainable land management. These communities have developed intricate ways of living and utilizing nature's resources, living in harmony with it. It illuminates the stark contrast between the traditional practices that enriched the biodiversity of these reserves and the destruction caused by the modern world's unsustainable ways of accessing these resources.
One memorable section of the documentary features a festival in Nepal where Sherpas celebrate and honour the goddess Sagarmatha, also known as Mount Everest. The documentary shows how the mountain, through the belief system of the indigenous Sherpa people, commands reverence and respect. It emphasizes the need to consider these sacred sites holy and essential and makes a compelling case for preserving it in a way that ensures the continued well-being of the communities and their environment.
The film calls us to act as responsible custodians of the environment, in addition to its engaging content on the different sites featured within it. It encourages us as a society to understand traditional knowledge as a significant tool in the fight to preserve natural environments worldwide. We are challenged to reconsider our approach to occupying natural resources more responsibly and redirected to the sustainable models that have been practised by these remote communities for centuries.
In conclusion, Sacred Planet is thought-provoking and captivating, with a message that matters. It showcases the true beauty of natural wonders in remote locations worldwide while shedding light on how the people who call these places home have come to respect and honour them. It makes it clear that preserving the sanctity of these environments and learning more about the traditional knowledge possessed by different Indigenous groups therein will promote more respect and sustainability for ecosystems worldwide. This documentary is a must-watch, particularly for a generation seeking to redefine our relationship with the natural world.
Sacred Planet is a 2004 documentary with a runtime of 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 53.