Robin Petré, ‘Flee’ Producer Monica Hellström Pitch ‘Wolf Moon,’ Exploring How Wildlife Turns Nocturnal to Evade Humans (EXCLUSIVE)

by

Danish filmmaker Robin Petré (“Only on Earth,” “From the Wild Sea”) and Oscar-nominated producer Monica Hellström (“Flee,” “A House Made of Splinters”) have revealed “Wolf Moon,” which is part of a loosely connected trilogy delving into the connection between humans and animals.

At the CPH:FORUM industry gathering, which is associated with Copenhagen’s international documentary film festival (CPH:DOX), the documentary examines how human actions are leading to changes in animal behavior, compelling them to become more nocturnal as a means of avoiding human encounters.

In a setting steeped in Copenhagen’s historical Grand Teatret, ‘Wolf Moon’ was characterized by Petré as an intense, engaging, and profound exploration that delves further and further into the darkness of night, approaching the realm of wild animals.

The Danish director shares with EbMaster her viewpoint, backed by WWF statistics showing a shocking 69% decrease in global wildlife since 1970. She explains that despite our entire human history being intertwined with animals, we’re currently more isolated than ever. There’s a primal, unspoken desire within humans to be immersed in the company of animals and nature. This theme is woven throughout the film, highlighting our growing yearning to reestablish a bond with nature that we’re gradually drifting away from.

Petré highlights that the movie allows animals to star in their unique narratives, setting the audience at the same visual plane as them to foster an engaging connection between humans and creatures.

The movie’s plot revolves around four connected aspects, one of which involves three nocturnal explorations. The first of these excursions, partially filmed, portrays night-time wardens in Japan using GPS antennas to monitor bears approaching the city limits and scaring them off.

On their second journey, explorers delve into the heart of Sweden’s woods, a realm where evening wildlife excursions aim to locate wolves and elk. This is a realm that lingers on the edge of darkness, a place where these creatures continue to thrive, largely uninfluenced by human activity.

As a passionate moviegoer delving into the world of cinematography, I’ve recently come across an intriguing tidbit that caught my attention. In South Africa, it turns out that a study by Dr. Lianne Zanette unveiled some fascinating facts about wildlife behavior. It appears that mammals tend to be more skittish around human voices than they are when they hear the roars of lions or even gunshots! This finding could certainly open up new avenues for storytelling and character development in future films set in the wild.

As I embark on these nighttime journeys, the fourth element of this film unfolds for me – a theatrical portrayal influenced by Djuna Barnes’ “Nightwood,” a novel brimming with night-inspired imagery. On stage, performers will emulate animal actions, thereby obscuring the boundary between human and beast.

By adding this final layer, the film will evoke a dramatic, stage-like atmosphere. Just as a theater stage is illuminated, we’re crafting an artificially lit human world within the darkness of the night and wilderness that mirrors the aesthetics of a play. In essence, we’re driving them into the night, and for our own convenience, we’re constructing a space where we can clearly observe them. (Petré’s explanation)

For the first time, Petré is working with Hellström, who belongs to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In a conversation with EbMaster, Hellström expresses his awe over the footage sent by Robin: ‘I was utterly amazed by what I saw. Her artistic vision is rare and refreshing; it’s been a long time since I’ve seen such confidence in storytelling.’

Petré emphasizes that “Wolf Moon” will maintain the accessibility similar to her previous movies, despite its abstract idea. To accomplish this, she’s collaborated with Charlotte Munch Bengtsen yet again, who has edited both “Only on Earth” and “From the Wild Sea,” which were her award-winning debut films premiered at the Berlinale.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that my upcoming movie project, with an estimated budget of €949,000 or approximately $1.25 million, is in active development. This ambitious production is partially backed by the generous support of the Danish Film Institute and Ström Pictures, a venture led by the esteemed Hellström.

As a cinephile, I’m excited to share that over thirty film projects, ranging from initial concepts to final production stages, are being presented at the CPH:FORUM taking place in Copenhagen through March 27th.

Read More

2025-03-28 00:17