The Meerkats (2008)

When humans face the loveliness and miracles of nature, something truly awesome appears in our perceptions. In such moments of delight only heart can speak. And something so vivid, touching and surprising evokes whilst viewing the most captivating documentaries about natural world. And yet, documentary is, in many cases, still a 'docu' filled with scientific facts. In contrast, imagine a film about animals when they are 'protagonists' themselves and seem to 'behave' before cameras. THE MEERKATS, directed by James Honeyborne, has hardly appeared to me as a sheer documentary but a feature film. With its viewing experience and the haunting voice of Paul Newman, I felt like highlighting my emotions and sharing the captivating feast for the heart with my friend whom I am grateful to for owning that little treasure in my film gallery.The Kalahari in South Africa, the land of dry seasons, the land of thirst and wild animals that sometimes break the balance of nature. The Kalahari is the land where 'every sunset is a victory for those who have a chance to glimpse it.' In between the harsh wilderness of this 'land of the giants' live lovely tiny creatures, the Meerkats, who seem to 'understand' that 'staying close' to one another is an intuitive maxim of their lives. There are moments when hard conditions force them to do what they would not do normally. The absorbing mutual 'war dance' against invaders supply the viewers with unforgettable emotions. Besides, is there a lesson for those tiny creatures of how to manage in heat when droughts kill any hope for survival and enemies that attack constantly? And what are the gravely dangerous enemies?The patient cobra that knows no time and no mercy....The enormous eagle whose wings and strength give him possibilities that may be merely a dream to many other creatures...The lion, king among all who may also lack intelligence and tiny Meerkats may trick him when they are good students of their ancestors...What else can help them avoid the drama if not keeping together in family? Being one of the Meerkats is a pride of little photogenic Kolo, the protagonist of the absorbing 80 minute-story that keeps even the skeptical viewer stunned in the chair.. Kolo's growth to become an adult and the adventure of being taught necessary skills by his brother is the major highlight of his existence within the helpful community. Although his brother is a supreme teacher for him, there will come a day when there is no more 'brother' no more 'teacher' but Kolo will be forced to experience the very essence of the Kalahari. Will he grow up to become the teacher himself, the teacher for a new generation of Meerkats? Indeed, there is much he needs to learn, much loneliness and obstacles he needs to overcome...Yet, the promised day comes for the brave, honest and the determined at last.Thanks to the great contribution and tremendous efforts from the crew, including James Honeyborne's direction, Barrie Briton's cinematography, and Sarah Class's use of local music that resembles the rhythms of the land, the visual, aesthetic and artistic impressions are highly worth attention. The producers do a marvelous job in winning the 'trust' of the animals. Kolo touches our hearts and makes us empathize with him to an extent as one of the most genuine protagonist could do. But not only him but a number of Meerkats that trust humans, are so playful and natural before cameras, who share with us (in such a genuine manner) the circle of their lives, including the joyful moments, the hard working moments, the dramatic moments.THE MEERKATS is one of the most interesting documentaries I have seen about sweet animals that easily win our hearts. A gorgeous experience to be so close to nature, so close to the tiny creatures whose lives are filled with interesting interactions and constant mutual existence. So close to the miracle that Lord God has given to humanity through nature governed by its own rights but constantly creative, opening to all of us new horizons of seeing and learning from the little creatures. Also a lovely stimulus to understand the importance to protect the tiny ones. Stunning experience

This beautifully photographed wildlife movie anthropomorphises a group of meerkats. The fact that so much meerkat behaviour appears so deceptively human aids this approach although, personally, I felt that attributing human motives and relationships rather cheapened the absorbing and eye-catching visuals (I appreciate that allocating names is helpful for purposes of identification).Paul Newman delivers the narration in what was probably his final professional work. It is perfectly satisfactory, if a little cold.But this film stands on its visuals, and it transcends criticism on that basis alone.

This is a "must watch". Even if you aren't a nature film fan, this charming well made movie is worth the investment of time. It clocks in at a sprightly hour and a half, which flies past like an eagle chasing its prey.I generally find Alexander McCall Smith's novels 9and the series made from them - No. 1 Ladies Detective Club) a bit too precious. No question though that he knows, and loves, South Africa.His script for this mock documentary, narrated by Paul Newman in what seems to have been his final performance, teeters on the edge of cliché and sentimentality, but never topples over. The narrative line of personalizing the story of one young meerkat to tell the tale of the Kalahari, of dessert life, and the cycle of life, works effectively, and to my mind, makes this a superior and more accessible movie than March of the Penguins.The excellent score sets a tone, and a pace, which matches the story perfectly, and gives a sense of place. No soaring Beethoven or Mahler here. Real sounds of Africa. Done by a young English folk singer. Amazing.What blew me away most though was the cinematography and editing. I can't get over the shots that James Honeycombe and his crew captured in their six month mission, and condensed into a stunning visual.Please, watch this movie.

Let the wildlife documentaries roll in. I suppose it's lucrative enough to make a film based on animals both in wildlife, or in captivity, protecting them from the threat of extinction. You can name such films with ease, starting from the award winning March of the Penguins, to the fictional story The Fox and the Child and to the latest screened here in Panda Diary. The Meerkats took a bow at last year's Tokyo International Film Festival, and while we may not be that familiar with this species, the story weaved into this documentary has universal themes going back to basics on survival.The filmmakers had spent some 6 months to observe the meerkats' breeding period in their natural environment in the Kalahari desert, and the footage they obtained is nothing less than stunning, though I suspect for certain shots they had recycled perhaps from some earlier moments, and juxtaposed them in place to make a more logical narrative. Still, it's no mean feat deserving of kudos for Alexander McCall Smith because it certainly takes tremendous man-hours to craft a drama narratively from what is essentially footage of animals going about their own thing.Narrated by the late Paul Newman, The Meerkats have all the ingredients necessary to engage an audience throughout its brisk 83 minutes. We have an identified flawed hero Meerkat, Kolo, from whose eyes we will witness events from. And it's like a life-cycle, coming of age tale, with Kolo's birth, the life lessons he has got to learn fast if he's to survival in a harsh habitat with predators and the environment both threatening his family's very survival, a tragedy, an accidental exile and the return of the prodigal son.For the uninitiated, we get to learn a little more about the meerkats just as how one watching a nature documentary would pick up from, such as their diet, their underground abode, as well as their chief enemies, and director James Honeybornes ensures we get ringside seats in the thick of the action whether it's the battling against swooping eagles, cunning snakes, or even against fellow meerkats of a different tribe. Personallly I dislike snakes, and watching one slither about on screen and up close, isn't really my cup of tea. But the "action sequences" were an eye-opener, with a very natural and real sense of danger because it's not crafted, but is exactly as what nature intended – the laws of the food chain amongst the vast African plains.So for documentary lovers out there who are on the bandwagon for more wildlife films, then The Meerkats would be your automatic choice. Recommended.