Movie Minute: Ocean Souls

 Through the lens of beauty and love, debuting director Philip Hamilton unites over 100+ filmmakers, scientists, and experts to inspire audiences to protect our closest living 'cousins' the cetaceans (whales, porpoises), and moreover the oceans themselves. Ocean Souls is an emotive documentary about cetaceans. It highlights new science and discovers that there is an intelligence beneath the waves that closely mirrors our own. 

Ocean Souls (English) from OCEAN SOULS FILMS on Vimeo.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

Director and Producer of Ocean Souls, Philip Hamilton

Why did you create Ocean Souls?

“Ocean Souls was more of a mission than an idea. Despite my vast experience with photographing cetaceans underwater, I wouldn't have dared to produce a cetacean documentary. To most people it would be totally out of reach given the costs, time and complexities involved.  However, a new and important piece of scientific evidence showing the concerning stress levels of cetaceans was presented to me by the principal curator of mammals at The Natural History Museum in London. Since new scientific discoveries are developing all the time and given my relationship with scientists across the world, I felt like I could be a good ambassador for them and help to share and educate others about these animals. It was also at this time that Japan exited IWC in order to resume hunting in their exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the world’s eighth-largest, that I realised I had to use my network and creativity to come up with a way to produce a powerful and emotive film that would show the beauty and remarkable lives of our cousins, the cetaceans.”

Can you explain the title?

"So, whilst this isn't mentioned in the film, there is actually a wonderful story to the film's title. Mythological stories native to tribes in Australia and some ancient tribes around the Pacific, say that Sirius, the brightest star, sent the souls into the planet but at the time, they believed that man was not ready to receive the souls and so Sirius gave them to the cetaceans since they had been here for far longer and were more advanced. The cetaceans were known as keepers of the souls until the day that man was ready to receive them back. So, the title, Ocean Souls, goes all the way back to ancient traditions about our relationship with cetaceans which was far more positive in the old days. It was the perfect fit for our film which showcases the beauty, intelligence and magic of whales and dolphins and how they deserve our respect."

What is something a lot of people overlook about the ocean?

"Clearly, without a healthy ocean we have no planet. Not only is climate change driven by this but food production also and most importantly, most of the oxygen on the planet does not come from the Amazon rainforest or the jungles of Borneo for example, but more than 65% comes from phytoplankton, algae and kelp forests in the ocean. So, without a thriving ocean, the planet suffers and what is often overlooked are the resources and the dedication needed to support the oceans. These are well below the support for land projects so we need to play catch up. Another point is that so many have the impression that because the ocean is so vast and so deep, nothing can harm it. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. The dreadful issue with plastic and metal pollutants exists, all the way to the deepest points of Antarctica, where some penguins and animals have been tested and sadly they are all very toxic. Many can't comprehend that the ocean's currents mean that pollution near the Equator line for instance will go all over the world. There isn't a pristine, clean, part of the planet, it is all interconnected and affected."

How can people have an impact on the health of the ocean even if they don't live nearby it?

There are many simple ways to have a positive impact on the health of the ocean. Firstly, your right to vote in democratic elections. By voting for the right candidate who through their policies will not pollute the oceans and the planet is a good first step. Secondly, of course the reduction of single use plastic and microplastics. Also the elimination of using shark products which are in everyday items. There are 36 major products from skincare creams to pet food, all containing shark ingredients such as cartilage. We need to be more aware of the products we are using and buying and that also applies to the food we eat, we must ensure that the fish and seafood we choose to consume is from sustainable sources. It is easy to know by looking at the packaging which often displays the correct certifications and sustainable status . Lastly, educate people, spread the word. The more people who know and who are therefore more mindful, the better chance we have at preserving our oceans and planet."