French documentary 'The Season' takes Chinese critics by storm

A scene from The Season [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Famed French director Jacques Perrin's latest masterpiece, The Season, which hit the big screens in China last week, has become one of the best reviewed films during the weeklong National Day holiday.

The documentary, another classic work after Jacques Perrin's internationally renowned Winged Migration, Oceans and Microcosmos: The Great People, retraces the natural history of Europe from the end of the ice age until the present. The delicate plots and breath-taking shots vividly show the life of wild animals and how their fates have changed during the process of human civilization, exploring the relations between nature and mankind and questioning the sacrifice we've made for contemporary economic development.

"Environmental issues are related to everyone," said French director Jacques Perrin at the film premiere on September 27, stressing that joint-effort from different countries are needed to tackle the natural ecological crisis.

The documentary was filmed in more than 100 places in eight countries during the five-year production, featuring a lively and diverse natural world. With a high rate of 7.5/10 on Douban.com, one of China's biggest film review website, the documentary attracted theatregoers from across the country.

The film is also part of the annual cross-nation cultural project - 3rd Franco-Chinese Month of the Environment. Organized by the French embassy in China, this year's project focuses on the theme of biodiversity. A wide range of cultural events, including exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, art workshops, lectures, seminars and forums will be held in 25 Chinese cities.