Wilding Explores A Couple’s Radical, Controversial Experiment To Revitalise Farmlands
Image: Wilding.
Wilding is an insightful documentary that should predominantly appeal to audiences who are extremely concerned about the environment and who also advocate for its protection.
Based on the best-selling book written by Isabella Tree, Wilding tells the true story of a couple who purchased a 400-year-old estate in Southeast England, and utilised radical rather than traditional methods to revitalise the soil.
The soil had been reduced to dirt empty of organic life and no longer suitable for commercial agriculture owing to the tons of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and fertilisers which had drenched the soil over the years.
The couple experimented with the ideology of not battling against nature, instead allowing the animals to integrate with the landscape. Horses, cattle, pigs and other animals were purchased and allowed to run free, and so the journey from tame to wild commenced.
Was it possible for domesticated animals to transform the land? But more importantly, was it a mistake to place the fate of their farm solely in the hands of nature? Were they on a road to nowhere?
Government laws and legislation threatened to block this unique project of revitalising the land. There was public outrage, as it was regarded as disgraceful and irresponsible to have free roaming animals utilised for soil restoration. However, a new landscape for the future was created, and was ultimately regarded as one of the most significant experiments in recent years.
This challenging experiment is a joy to watch. The cinematography is exceptionally stunning, the narration beautifully written, enlightening and at times seemingly playful and poetic. Audiences will learn of the importance of the ecosystem – the natural science of the relationships among the living organisms and their environment.
An in-depth look at the behavioural pattern of the animals compounds to the excellence of the narrative, as audiences are initially left to ponder whether the transformation amongst the animals will occur. After years of captivity, will the animals become wild, or will they remain tame?
Magical, extraordinary and thought-provoking viewing, moviegoers have the opportunity to take a glimpse at how the ecological system works. A radical change in the growth and appearance of the landscape will be evident and the experiment finally declared a success.
The need for this innovative method to become more widespread is vital, as globally, most farming landscapes have become depleted of nutrients.
Wilding also highlights the urgency for landscape reform, as many native animals are heading for extinction. During the course of the documentary, it’s stated that 14 million birds and one quarter of all mammals in Britain are reportedly on the verge of extinction. It was discovered that rare and endangered species inexplicably found their way to this farm, which highlighted this experiment provided a solution.
This is remarkable, must-see viewing for the entire family.
Wilding
****1/2
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