Coral Reefs to Benefit from Disney’s “Oceans”

May 20th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner

As we reported a few weeks ago, Disneynature contributed a percentage of opening-week ticket sales for its latest film, Oceans, to The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt a Coral Reef program.

The environmental partners have since announced that the proceeds will be used to protect more than 35,000 acres of coral reefs in The Bahamas. At 55 square miles, the area is 250% larger than Manhattan and could house more than 412 Disneylands.

A critically important ecosystem, The Bahamas’ 700 islands straddle the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Miles of coral reefs serve as the foundation for a healthy ocean environment, providing shelter, nurseries and feeding grounds for hundreds of marine species, including dolphins, sea turtles and a wide range of fish.

Scientists estimate Caribbean coral reefs could disappear in 50 years unless they have a network of well-managed protected areas.

“Disneynature has captured the beauty, wonder and fragility of our world’s marine habitats and species in Oceans,” says Nature Conservancy President and CEO Mark Tercek. “We appreciate Disney’s commitment to help protect marine areas in The Bahamas, which is home to 30% of all coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean.”

Disney Stores will also donate $1 from the sale of each eco-friendly Save Planet Earth Reusable Bag to the Adopt a Coral Reef program. Bags are now on sale for only $1.49 (50% off).

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Disney’s “Oceans” Now in Theaters

April 23rd, 2010 - Barbara Feiner

After achieving great success with Earth, its first theatrical release, Disneynature released the G-rated Oceans on Earth Day (Thursday)—a film Associated Press movie critic Christy Lemire has called “a stunningly beautiful documentary.”

French codirectors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud profile the bodies of water that cover almost 75% of our planet, while sending a message about the environmental threats they face. 

Narrated by actor Pierce Brosnan, the film features never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest underwater technologies. 

Walt Disney Co. President and CEO Robert Iger says he hopes Disneynature films “will contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of the beauty and fragility of our natural world.” 

Disney held a “blue carpet” premiere last Saturday at Hollywood’s famed El Capitan Theatre. Brosnan was joined by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas, who sang the film’s end-credit song, Make a Wave. Purchase the song on iTunes, and all proceeds will benefit environmental charities. 

See Oceans by Wednesday, and Disneynature will make a contribution to The Nature Conservancy for every ticket sold. The money raised will be used to help save coral reefs.

For Your Organic Bookshelf 

Oceans: Official Companion to the Disney Feature is now available for $23.10, a 34% savings over the $35 list price.

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Disney’s “Earth” Available on DVD Today

September 1st, 2009 - Barbara Feiner

If you missed Walt Disney Studios’ Earth in theaters, pick up the DVD, which releases today. 

Gorgeous cinematography captures polar bears marching across ice, elephants enjoying a swim and whales breaching the ocean’s surface. (Click here to watch the trailer.)

 The film is the first feature-length documentary from the new, eco-conscious production unit Disneynature. Cowritten and codirected by the award-winning Alastair Fothergill (Planet Earth, The Blue Planet), and narrated by Oscar-nominated actor James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader!), it’s an amazing tour of our home planet.

 “In addition to providing compelling entertainment that audiences of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy, we also hope to raise awareness of the many ways that everyone and anyone can do their part to help our planet,” says Disneynature head honcho Jean-Francois Camilleri.

 Adds Martyn Freeman of coproducer BBC Worldwide: “Earth captures some of the rarest and most beautiful imagery of the planet ever photographed by a team of the world’s top cinematographers. Audiences will get to see their planet in an exciting new way.”

 I agree with Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly (one of the most trustworthy film critics out there), who calls the finished project a “super-duper deluxe nature documentary.” She believes Earth “clearly aims to recruit young viewers as conservationists.”

 That’s a mission we all can support.

 Save $13

 The DVD’s suggested retail price is $29.99, but Amazon is currently selling it for $16.99.

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