Fragile Earth: Siarau - The Tidal Forest
(1983)
Winner of the second ever Golden Panda award at Wildscreen 1984, Siarau - The Tidal Forest paints a rich and evocative picture of the diverse wildlife that inhabits this tiny island, northwest of Borneo. A land of fluctuating tides and stifling tropical heat, the ever changing environment of the mangrove swamps caused an evolutionary explosion, with a multitude of flora and fauna learning to thrive in this unstable habitat.
Detailing this extraordinary abundance of life, director Phil Agland employs world-class cinematography, capturing the many crafty adaptations the island creatures have developed to lead a life half way between land and sea. Proboscis monkeys are proficient swimmers, archerfish ‘shoot’ insects down from overhanging branches, and tree roots grow above ground in search of oxygen.
Costing some £140,000 in 1982, this typically ‘blue chip’ Partridge Films production is described by executive producer and Partridge founder, Mike Rosenberg, as “flawless” with “stunning pictures”.
With a strong emphasis on conservation, the production follows in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed predecessor Korup - An African Rainforest, raising awareness of the need to protect our unique tropical forests.
Fragile Earth: Korup - An African Rainforest (1982)
Phil Agland
