Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees

Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees is a captivating documentary that sweeps its viewers away on a breathtaking journey into the heart of the natural world. Released in 2016, the film not only explores the extraordinary power and intricate secrets of trees but also touches on our complex relationship with them.

The film stars the well-renowned botanist, biochemist, and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger as the protagonist. With her soothing voice narrating, she ignites curiosity and sparks a newfound admiration for trees that resonate throughout the documentary. Also featuring the iconic voice of Gordon Pinsent, an award-winning Canadian actor and writer, the film brings an intellectually stimulating exploration into the natural world.

Call of the Forest delves deep into the incredible world of trees, their intrinsic biological functions, their contribution to the ecosystem, and the ecosystem services they offer humans. Viewers embark on a magical journey around the world, from the last great forests of Japan and the Primordial Boreal forest of Canada to the ancient woodlands of Europe and the magnificent Redwoods of the USA. Each location and tree species carries its own unique story and importance, beautifully conveyed through Diana's insightful revelations.

This film does more than appreciate and commend the beauty and richness of our forests; it notes the dire state our planet would be in without them. By revealing integral biological knowledge about trees, Diana Beresford-Kroeger makes a compelling case for their preservation and underscores the urgent need to understand trees not as a resource to exploit but as vital environments to respect and protect.

One key feature of the film is how it also examines the historical and cultural significance of trees to humanity. This exploration uncovers the profound spiritual and philosophical connection between people and forests, revealing age-old native traditions and practices. This narrative thread helps to build an even stronger case for the essential importance of trees in our lives, going beyond their purely biological role.

With breathtaking cinematography, Call of the Forest offers visually stunning shots of forests and trees from around the world. It captures the enchantment of the forest, its wild beauty, towering giants, and myriad of colors in the most captivating way. Each frame unfurls as a visual feast that leaves an indelible mark on the audience's mind and heart.

The documentary has an educational and informative side, as it seeks to educate the viewer about tree biology, their role in mitigating climate change, their medicinal qualities, and the trees' value in sustaining biodiversity. It also touches upon the critical issue of deforestation and its consequences, alerting viewers to the environmental emergency the world is currently wrestling with.

The inherent wisdom that trees possess and have to share is also explored, and the expert knowledge of Diana Beresford-Kroeger helps to untangle this complex web. Throughout the film, Diana demonstrates her passion and dedication to forest conservation and stresses the importance of each tree species in maintaining the planet's ecological balance.

The movie is sprinkled with numerous nuggets of wisdom from Diana's personal journey as a botanist. She shares lesser-known facts about trees and forests' role in weather regulation, water purification, and climate control, and their incredible potential to be our strongest allies in the fight against climate change.

Her background as a medical biochemist allows her to dive into the role trees play in human health, including the production of various lifesaving medicines. Diana advocates for more research into the chemical compounds produced by trees, believing they could hold the key to breakthroughs in modern medicine.

The Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees is a stunning testament to the symbiotic relationship between humanity and nature, offering viewers an in-depth and beautiful celebration of our world's magnificent forests. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the crucial role that trees play in our everyday lives and their necessity for a healthy planet.

The documentary ultimately acts as an urgent call to action, encouraging its viewers to recognize and treasure the wisdom of trees, to participate actively in conservation, to preserve these fantastic ecosystems and their biodiversity for generations to come. It is a must-watch for nature lovers, environmentalists, and anyone interested in understanding the profound connection between humanity and nature.