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Welcome to the jungle: the botanist trying to alter perceptions of rainforests Welcome to the jungle: the botanist trying to alter perceptions of rainforests
(about 7 hours later)
At an age when freedom passes allow pensioners to take on the challenge of clambering to the top deck of a bus, Francis Hallé is more likely to be found perched at the top of a tree. At an age when freedom passes allow pensioners to take on the challenge of clambering to the top deck of a bus, Dr Francis Hallé is more likely to be found perched at the top of a tree.
The retired professor of botany is 75 and has just completed his first film. In it he can be seen standing, without a safety rope, on a branch of a massive moabi tree 230 feet above the forest floor.The retired professor of botany is 75 and has just completed his first film. In it he can be seen standing, without a safety rope, on a branch of a massive moabi tree 230 feet above the forest floor.
He is at ease, seemingly oblivious to the dizzying drop and, as the camera pans away, the beauty of the forest stretching into the distance becomes apparent.He is at ease, seemingly oblivious to the dizzying drop and, as the camera pans away, the beauty of the forest stretching into the distance becomes apparent.
But it is a bittersweet image. During his lifetime he has watched helplessly as tropical forests undisturbed for millennia have been logged, razed and ploughed.But it is a bittersweet image. During his lifetime he has watched helplessly as tropical forests undisturbed for millennia have been logged, razed and ploughed.
In an attempt to bring world attention to the plight of the rainforests he spent 25 years seeking a film-maker who could breathe life into a film in which trees are the stars.In an attempt to bring world attention to the plight of the rainforests he spent 25 years seeking a film-maker who could breathe life into a film in which trees are the stars.
His search ended when he met Luc Jacquet, the Oscar-winning director of March of the Penguins, who was looking for a new challenge after his Antarctic success. The result of the collaboration is Il Etait une Forêt.His search ended when he met Luc Jacquet, the Oscar-winning director of March of the Penguins, who was looking for a new challenge after his Antarctic success. The result of the collaboration is Il Etait une Forêt.
Dr Hallé hopes the film can bring the same public attention to forests as Jacques Cousteau did for marine life: "When I was young I saw the first film of Commander Cousteau [The Silent World]. This film had a very big impact on the public in many places in the world. So our aim – Luc and I – is to inform the public but also to try to modify behaviour." Hallé hopes the film can bring the same public attention to forests as Jacques Cousteau did for marine life: "When I was young I saw the first film of Commander Cousteau [The Silent World]. This film had a very big impact on the public in many places in the world. So our aim – Luc and I – is to inform the public but also to try to modify behaviour."
His main concern is for primary tropical forests, the undisturbed jungles that take at least 700 years to re-grow and which now cover a tiny fraction of what they did even half a century ago.His main concern is for primary tropical forests, the undisturbed jungles that take at least 700 years to re-grow and which now cover a tiny fraction of what they did even half a century ago.
"When I was a young scientist in the 1960s primary rainforest was everywhere in the tropics," he said. "Africa, Asia, South America. Everywhere."When I was a young scientist in the 1960s primary rainforest was everywhere in the tropics," he said. "Africa, Asia, South America. Everywhere.
"Fifty years later there are practically no primary forests left in the tropics. This happened over my lifetime. I'm a witness to it." Had he suggested back in the 1960s that the forests were on their way out "everybody would have laughed"."Fifty years later there are practically no primary forests left in the tropics. This happened over my lifetime. I'm a witness to it." Had he suggested back in the 1960s that the forests were on their way out "everybody would have laughed".
Much of the problem, he believes, is that the public still regard tropical forests as lethal tracts of jungle where humans should fear to tread. The truth, he says, is that when the forests are left undisturbed by logging and other destructive human activities, they are havens of tranquillity.Much of the problem, he believes, is that the public still regard tropical forests as lethal tracts of jungle where humans should fear to tread. The truth, he says, is that when the forests are left undisturbed by logging and other destructive human activities, they are havens of tranquillity.
He said: "When you talk about the forest everyone is horrified. It is seen as a 'green hell'. It's still considered dangerous and without interest.He said: "When you talk about the forest everyone is horrified. It is seen as a 'green hell'. It's still considered dangerous and without interest.
"We wanted to renew the image of the forest. It's not dangerous, it's not terrifying. It's extremely relaxing and extremely beautiful. This is what we want to say, what we want to demonstrate.""We wanted to renew the image of the forest. It's not dangerous, it's not terrifying. It's extremely relaxing and extremely beautiful. This is what we want to say, what we want to demonstrate."
It is so peaceful in the forest, he adds, that he can think of few things that he would prefer to walking on the tops of trees in the jungle: "Sometimes it is really useful to have a rope but many times I am so comfortable that I am just free. It's extremely pleasant for me. I draw at the top of the tree. I'm a draughtsman so I like to draw."It is so peaceful in the forest, he adds, that he can think of few things that he would prefer to walking on the tops of trees in the jungle: "Sometimes it is really useful to have a rope but many times I am so comfortable that I am just free. It's extremely pleasant for me. I draw at the top of the tree. I'm a draughtsman so I like to draw."
Once he saw a rainforest for himself, Jacquet needed little persuasion to make the film. He said: "I needed to know if it was inspiring. I went, and it was just magic. First of all, I felt very comfortable in the forest. It was quiet and natural, it felt safe. I felt a connection.Once he saw a rainforest for himself, Jacquet needed little persuasion to make the film. He said: "I needed to know if it was inspiring. I went, and it was just magic. First of all, I felt very comfortable in the forest. It was quiet and natural, it felt safe. I felt a connection.
"It was like discovering an observed yet secret universe. We have all seen many forests in the world but it felt secret."It was like discovering an observed yet secret universe. We have all seen many forests in the world but it felt secret.
"For me, this film had to be done. This is my moral position. We hope it is going to change things. We have to try. We must try!"For me, this film had to be done. This is my moral position. We hope it is going to change things. We have to try. We must try!
"This is important for me. I find very strong and deep emotions in that place. To think that these things will disappear and my children won't be able to see them – I can't accept it.""This is important for me. I find very strong and deep emotions in that place. To think that these things will disappear and my children won't be able to see them – I can't accept it."
• Il Etait une Forêt, distributed by Disney, will open in France in November. It is due to be shown in the UK in 2014.• Il Etait une Forêt, distributed by Disney, will open in France in November. It is due to be shown in the UK in 2014.
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