By Cem Kaplan
Although I am deeply connected to nature, from animals to plants watching Super Nature truly reconnected me to the environment on a much deeper level. We need to understand that the nature around us is truly super. The film gave me a profound sense of reassurance, confirming that I am walking in the right direction.”
The movie was not necessarily an eye-opener for me in a basic sense, as I am already paying close attention to global environmental issues. However, it was an amazing experience to discover things I didn’t know and to hear directly from people who are either living in harmony without disturbing nature’s balance, working to protect it, or most importantly dedicating themselves to rebuilding the delicate ecosystems that humanity has damaged almost beyond repair.
As a publisher and a filmmaker, I appreciate creative twists and subtle artistic choices. Playing on the title Super Nature by shooting exclusively on Super 8 film is nothing short of genius. I loved that approach.
If I were to offer one piece of constructive criticism, it would be regarding the segment filmed in Ukraine. I wished we could have seen more of how the conflict directly affects the birds and wildlife, showing destroyed nesting trees, fires consuming forest habitats, or displaced flocks struggling to adapt, rather than focusing so heavily on human war imagery like soldiers, weapons, and ruined buildings, which felt reminiscent of the daily news.
Revealing those hidden, quiet disruptions to wild lives, alongside the plight of domestic animals, would have resonated even more deeply with the core theme of the natural world.
That minor point aside, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the film. When the credits rolled, my immediate thought was how quickly time had flown by. Huge congratulations to the entire director, crew, participants, and sponsors who brought this beautiful production to life.
Cem Kaplan
Editor in chief FAbUK Magazine