Famed ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau will be the subject of National Geographic’s next documentary feature film. Oscar-nominated director, Liz Garbus will helm the project.
What’s happening:
- Deadline is reporting that National Geographic’s next feature length documentary will focus on ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.
- The film will be directed and produced by Liz Garbus whose other credits include:
- The Farm
- Angola USA
- What Happened, Miss Simone?
- Additionally, Dan Cogan (Icarus) and Evan Hayes (Free Solo) will also serve as producers.
- According to Deadline, the documentary team will have exclusive access to the Cousteau Society Archives and the film will include previously unseen footage of Cousteau.
- Considering Cousteau’s longtime collaboration with the National Geographic Society, it makes sense that he would be the subject of one of their documentaries.
- The film will focus on Cousteau’s environmental passions and ocean exploration among other things.
What they’re saying:
- Carolyn Bernstein, EVP of scripted content and documentary films for National Geographic: “Jacques Cousteau was a conservation pioneer whose advocacy to protect our oceans dovetails perfectly with National Geographic’s core values. We are honored that the Cousteau Society has entrusted us with this treasure trove of personal footage. Together with Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan and Evan Hayes, we hope to create a fitting tribute to Cousteau’s legacy that will celebrate his life’s work and unparalleled contributions to oceanography.”
- Director Liz Garbus: “As a little girl, I watched Jacques Cousteau in wonder and amazement every Sunday night. He brought cameras into a strange, wild and beautiful world few had ever seen, and nobody else had ever filmed before. He inspired me to dream and imagine my own unseen worlds. I want my children’s generation to get to know this transcendent figure, to dream their own dreams and to be inspired to love and preserve the natural world just as he was.”
- Francine Cousteau, president of the Cousteau Society: “We are excited to work with National Geographic, Liz Garbus and this amazing film team. Our goal is to help people understand and appreciate the fragility of life on our water planet. This film will not only honor Jacques’ legacy, but also further our message of conservation.”
ICYMI:
- National Geographic recently won an Oscar for Best Documentary Film for Free Solo a feature about rock climber, Alex Hannold. Fans can now stream the film on Hulu.
- In celebration of the global efforts of Earth Day, National Geographic highlighted endangered species with the debut of The Last Animals.
- National Geographic has reportedly greenlighted a documentary about the daring rescue of a Thai boys soccer team from a flooding cave