GREEN PARADISE

A documentary series by Jean Froment, Martin Blanchard, Pascal Vasselin, Philippe Prigent, Olivier Lamour, Denis Bertrand, Rémy Burkel, Laurent Chalet, Gil Kebaïli and Jean-Yves Cauchard

DOCUMENTARY / 10x43’ + 10x26' / ARTE / 2011

Synopsis

There are still some natural paradises around the world where locals are developing increasing numbers of projects to defend their heritage. These little-known places are home to some exceptional and carefully preserved natural riches.

SYNOPSIS / episode 1: CARIBBEAN TREASURE – DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Directed by Jean-Yves Cauchard
Far from the usual images of mass tourism, we head off to meet the guardians of this natural paradise who are preserving sanctuaries for the indigenous flora and fauna.

SYNOPSIS / episode 2: IN A GENTLE AND SAVAGE LAND – CHILE

Directed by Pascal Vasselin
Chilean Patagonia offers an exceptional landscape of mountains, glaciers, rivers and forests. In the middle of this Garden of Eden, its guardians along with modern explorers work hard to preserve this land.

SYNOPSIS / episode 3: THE MAGIC OF THE GREAT SOUTH – MOROCCO

Directed by Philippe Prigent
An invitation to travel at the rhythm of the undulating sand dunes of the Moroccan desert to admire the huge landscapes that appear fixed for all eternity, fashioned by the whims of the wind.

SYNOPSIS / episode 4: THE CORAL REPUBLIC – PALAU

Directed by Martin Blanchard
Palau comprises a succession of some 200 islands, including the famous Rock Island that can be explored by kayak. But Palau is also one of the best destinations for scuba diving the world has to offer.

SYNOPSIS / episode 5: NATURE’S DREAM – SEYCHELLES

Directed by Jean Froment
Three sites, Île du Nord, Cousin and Aldabra. In these exceptional locations, NGOs and nature lovers work daily to protect their insular ecosystems and reintroduce threatened species.

SYNOPSIS / episode 6: A PURE NATURE – COSTA RICA

Directed by Denis Bertrand
More than a third of Costa Rican territory is protected. It is a veritable paradise for numerous animal and plant species.

SYNOPSIS / episode 7: THE RED ISLAND WITH A GREEN HEART – NEW CALEDONIA

Directed by Gil Kébaïli
Unlike its volcanic neighbors, New Caledonia is a fragment of the old continent that drifted away some 150 million years ago. Its incredible flora and fauna have evolved in this unique natural vacuum.

SYNOPSIS / episode 8: HAPPY ARABIA – OMAN

Directed by Rémy Burkel
Forming the link between India and Africa, Oman is a mountainous land surrounded by sand and water. The third biggest country on the Arabian Peninsula, it is, thanks to its many defenders, a natural paradise

SYNOPSIS / episode 9: THE WILD ISLES – INDONESIA

Directed by Olivier Lamour
The Indonesian province of West Papua occupies the western half of the island of New Guinea. It is still inhabited by primitive tribes who live in some of the most unspoilt rainforest in the world.

SYNOPSIS / episode 10: THE ISLAND OF THE AGE OF THE WORLD – TASMANIA

Directed by Laurent Chalet
Separated from the Australian mainland by the Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land in its own right. A carefully preserved natural heritage, it is a paradise for ramblers and nature lovers alike.

Credits

Directing : Jean Froment, Martin Blanchard, Pascal Vasselin, Philippe Prigent, Olivier Lamour, Denis Bertrand, Rémy Burkel, Laurent Chalet, Gil Kebaïli, Jean-Yves Cauchard
Photography : Denis Bertrand, Didier Hill-Derive, Éric Turpin, Martin Blanchard, Richard Brooks, Roberto Rinaldi, Michael Lagerwey, Avandy Djunaldi, Jean-Yves Cauchard, Alain Magneville, Jean Froment, Denis Lagrange, Mohamed Ali Sharaf, Laurent Chalet, Pascal Vasselin
Editing : Jacques Terrien, Elisabeth Huguet, Chantal Le Baron, Denis Batardière, Dora Soltani, Richard Gurgand, Florence Bon, Laurence Barthomeuf
Sound Recording : Christian Chauvet, Philippe Prigent, Michael Lagerwey, Nicolas Schlomoff, Gaspard Baudry, Jérôme Perrault, Rémy Burkel, Jean Batiste Benoit, Laurence Langlois
Voice-over : Pierre Tissot
Original Score : Bam Prod, Pascal Lengagne
Colour Grading : Olivier Cohen
Mix : Tristan Jaoul, Sébastien Wera, Karim El Sarah, Clément Halley
Production : What’s Up Films
Partners :

In coproduction with ARTE G.E.I.E
With the participation of Ushuaïa TV
Distributed by ZED