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Concept and Synopsis Introduction (Overture) Somewhere in the middle of the great island of Sumatra lies a secret world which has remained frozen in time... A fragment of a past era, when the island was entirely covered by thick impenetrable forests, has resisted the changes enforced by men... A bright green and massive canopy slowly reveals itself between the clouds. Spots of light glow through the trees, and dark holes reflecting the sky punctuate the vegetation, like broken mirrors which have been randomly scattered... Pitch-black lines spread out in branching patterns like veins irrigating a living organism... And what if what we are seeing was indeed alive? Getting closer, we discover that Giam Siak Kecil is a huge living entity composed of innumerable plant and animal species all interconnected and dependent upon each other, like the cells of a gigantic creature, each fulfilling its own role in a dance exquisitely choreographed by an unseen force. The blackish waters running through its veins are its life-carrying blood. And if we follow these ubiquitous waters, we discover the stunning biodiversity contained within Siak Kecil Guam.
Tahir, the Ancient Tiger Hunter Some wooden houses raised on stilts along the river.... About fifty families live in this natural paradise. Tahir and his family are part of this community called Tasik Serai. Like in other villages in the region of Giam Siak Kecil, the economy is based on fishing and collecting forest products such as rattan. Formerly Tahir was the best tiger hunter in the region but now the old man has made peace with this mysterious animal which still haunts the forests of Guam Siak Kecil. Today Tahir has visitors. A long motor boat approaches the village. A team of young scientists is looking for clues to determine the distribution of tigers in the region. They heard about the exploits of the old hunter and need his help. How many tigers are left today? That is what this scientific mission must find out. But their mission doesn’t stop there, it must save from extinction this sub-species which has beome very rare. The territory of the tiger extends as far as the eye can see in these partly unexplored forests. We follow the team through their scientific research in the heart of the tigers’s kingdom in almost impenetrable swampy forests, along the rivers and around the many lakes with their dark waters so full of mystery... Tahir knows the tigers are there, he feels their presence. He remembers how a long time ago he used to lay traps on the paths used by the big striped felines, Si Belang, as he calls it. The days and weeks go by. The team works tirelessly in order to discover the clues allowing the study of this animal without seeing it : its footprints on the muddy ground, a half eaten deer, drops of urine on leafs at the edge of a path... Tahir is proud to share his intimate knowledge of the forest with these young researchers. He shows them the animal pathways exploited by the tigers. It is here that the team sets up automatic cameras capable of photographing everything that walks by. With a little luck, maybe they will be able to record some pictures of this animal as mysterious as it is dangerous...
Back in the village, the men gather in the house of Tahir. His wife prepares the evening meal on a campfire. In another room, a kerosene lamp burns above the mat where the men are gathered around a glass of hot Teh. As he does every night, Tahir tells his hunting stories, his encounters with the tigers and elephants, and he spins out local legends about the Tiger Men of Anai... As always, the children listen with utter fascination, while the young researchers attempt to hide their skepticism with a polite smile. As if to put an end to the conversation, without being asked to do so, he tries to explain his feelings about tigers, how he regrets having killed so many... Tahir is now glad to help protect them... It is the rainy season. The heavy dark clouds of the monsoon accumulate over Guam Siak Kecil. The first raindrops shatter the black mirrors of rivers and lakes... The torrential rain falling on the forest and the violent winds torturing the treetops offer us a stunning spectacle where the resilience of living beings is severely tested. The insects panic, but the birds, quietly resigned, remain motionless for hours on end. Other animals, such as elephants, mockingly oblivious to the ferocious natural forces unleashed around them, continue casually to eat the grass of the marshes. A few days later, the team arrives to collect the images recorded by the automatic cameras. In one of them Yassim finally discovers a picture of a tiger dated just two hours after their passage. It is a male one. For him this may be the perfect opportunity to capture a tiger for his ‘radio trekking’ program. The group goes back with the idea of returning with a team specialized in the capture of wild animals.
The APA foundation will help their program aimed at studying the Sumatran tigers and promoting their conservation. The film will chronicle this uncommon and extraordinary mission in the heart of the forest Giam Siak Kecil.
APPROACH / STYLE
DURATION
Too many documentaries on Nature are showing the destruction of the forest because it is much easier to tell negative stories. Making a film aimed at just showing the glory of Nature in a remote area of Sumatra like Guam Siak Kecil is a much bigger challenge.
We can start with a documentary of a standard duration of 30 minutes, but we will leave the options open for a 52 minutes film. It will depend on the requests from broadcasters and film festivals. But ultimately the strength of the story will be the decisive factor.
With powerful and compelling pictures, this film will be a “visual poem� about this unique Biosphere reserve. With a commentary written in a poetic style and classic music emphasizing the beauty and drama of the pictures.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS This film will be produced in Full HD and designed to be watched on big screens. To be able to penetrate the intimate life of the elusive species, we will use different filming methods like hidden / remote cameras, hides and tree platforms. A PDV Full HD Cam will also be used to shoot from angles that are impossible to achieve with standard cameras. Special lenses will be used like super-telephotos, macro lenses and super-wide angles.
OBJECTIVES Showing the beauty of Nature is a way to make the general public aware of the importance of respecting our surrounding environment. Sometimes the populations who live near protected areas have never understood why their own backyard is considered important for conservation. Explaining the reasons why conservation is important, telling them that tigers and elephants are in danger and must be protected, can make people more aware, but it doesn’t necessarily stop their bad habits. The cultural changes needed to transform people’s attitudes can only come about if they become more respectful toward Nature. It’s why it is also important to make films about the beauty of Nature, so people can start to truly admire and appreciate the animals and plants they consider as objects to be exploited or destroyed. The use of the Natural resources is important for the Indonesian economy. Large parts of Sumatra have been transformed to accommodate the needs of people and industry. But it would be wrong to ignore that areas with high biodiversity such as Giam Siak Kecil or Bukit Tigapuluh are equally important for the country. Maybe not in economic terms but as Natural heritage sites that belong to future generations. This film will show in a smart manner that Giam Siak Kecil is an example of environmental responsibility and good will, demonstrating that it is possible to set aside areas with a high conservation value while at the same time developing the country’s economy.
INDICATORS - 1 - The film can compete in World Film Festivals :
The post-production of this film will be done in France under the supervision of Daniel Serre, a famous filmmaker familiar with broadcasters and film festivals. He will coordinate our efforts to show this film on International TV Channels and Film Festivals around the world.
- 2 - Will be used by APP to show its conservation initiative :
In a spirit of Environmental responsibility and good will, APP will use this film to demonstrate it’s achievements. The idea is that the company will improve it’s image by continuing to initiate or support more conservation projects that will have a significant impact on preserving Indonesia’s Biodiversity and Natural Habitats.
- 3 - Develop stock footage about wildlife and conservation :
The stock footage produced over several months of filming in Giam Siak Kecil will constitute an unique documentation material that can be used in future films or corporate communication presentations. A separate arrangement will be discussed with Alain Compost on this matter. *** Story and Title subject to pre-assessment *** Audience : Lay people, communities, APP end users *** APP as sponsor in credit titles
PROPOSAL * Work plan and Time Line - June 2010: - July – August to Mai 2011: - June to November 2011: - December 2011:
Pre shooting Survey/ Preparations 100 Days shooting at Giam Siak Kecil Post Production Final release
* Budget and Terms of Payment - Pre shooting /Preparation: - Shooting 100 Days: - Equipement and expenses: - Post Production: TOTAL:
US$ 3000 US$ 50000 US$ 17000 US$ 35000 US$ 105000
* Team members and background - Film Director/Cameraman: - Assistant/ Sound man: - Post Production:
Alain Compost Not appointed yet Jangal Films
* Plans for the Post Production - The post production will be made in France by Jangal Films, under the supervision of Daniel Serre, a well known film maker, owner of Jangal Films (documentation attached ) * Plans for Progress Report on a Regular Basis - Alain Compost will provide a progress report and a low-resolution copy of the footage after each filming trip. * Deliverables - Original copy of the release copy, DVD and Photos. APP will have full access to all material. * Key Performance Indicators - Access to the script - Previews - First cut - Pre release final preview * Confidentiality and Copyright - A work contract will be ratified by Alain Compost, Jangal Films and APP. * English and Indonesian Versions - Possibly a French version as well