No compensation was received for this post. I attended a press screening which facilitated the writing of this post.
When I was just 15 years old, I had my very first Bear encounter. A welcome change from our scorching summers, I spent 2 weeks at a ranch in Northern California strengthening my leadership skills. Because this was an “adventure camp” which emphasized the building of character, each of us were required to spend one 24 hour period alone. The area we were camping in was known for housing black bears, so I took all of the necessary precautions…save the critically important step of securing my food in a tree. I’m very fortunate that the only thing rummaged through and missing on that long, lonely night was my trail mix and peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In subsequent years, my encounters with bears primarily occurred in wooded, less-traveled ares, since our family enjoys camping against the backdrop of the stars. It is my memory of being so close to a bear I could look directly into its beaded eyes, that compelled me to see Disneynature’s latest theatrical release, BEARS.
Set against the majestic backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness, Disneynature BEARS follows the story of a mother grizzly bear and her two cubs as they migrate down the Aleutian Mountain Range towards the coast in search of food, specifically salmon. As we learn early on from the film’s narrator, John C. Reilly, half of all cubs die within the first year of life. Thus the film synthesizes the bond between a mother and her cubs with a fight for survival in a story that will warm your hearts and raise awareness for these magnificent animals.
The film spans one year, as the production team followed Sky and her young cubs Scout and Amber through natural phenomenon and animal predators in search of food. The story is simple enough for a child to understand and the filmmakers do a phenomenal job of showcasing these animals in their natural habitats. Intimate moments visualized through the window of a camera lens show Sky nursing her cubs or Scout and Amber “playing.” Juxtaposed against sweeping, panoramic, often-time lapsed scenes, Disneynature BEARS is a visual mastery.
Geared towards a family audience, Disneynature Bears presents the reality of a grizzly bear’s struggle for survival in an environment where threats include wolves, natural phenomena, and even their own species while being sensitive to a younger audience’s inevitable attachment to the trio. As a parent, I appreciated the accuracy of the film delicately told in a way to preserve the innocence of children who may not be ready for the harsh reality of the fate many young grizzly cubs will face. With breathtaking cinematography and a poignant story, Disneynature Bears is the perfect film for families looking to educate their children or inspire them this Earth Day.
See “Bears,” Protect Our National Parks!
Disneynature BEARS is now in theaters, and if you see the film opening week (April 18th through 24th, 2014), the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation.
Download the Free Disneynature BEARS Educator Guide
This 100 page guide includes lessons and activities for children in grades 2 through 6. Children will learn where how and where bears live, how people and bears can live together safely, and more. You can also download free Earth Day Printable Activities inspired by Disneynature BEARS.
Disneynature BEARS is now in theaters nationwide. If you are LA-centric, be sure to see the film at the El Capitan Theatre where you’ll have an opportunity to see animals from around the world live onstage through May 2nd, 2014.
Images: Disneynature
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Hi could get permission to draw your bears.
Awesome pictures