CinéfestOZ Film Festival 2019: WHALE SUPER HIGHWAY

A globe trotting journey, the trials and tribulations of a single mother, deep-sea pursuits and firework bursts of scientific snot set the scene for Julia Redwood’s crowd-pleasing documentary Whale Super Highway, which recasts the titanic plights of migrating humpback whales into a rollercoaster ride that marvels at the wonders beneath the waves.

Projected in a 180º dome cinema – imagine a more compact planetarium – this 45-minute slice of edutainment deftly displays a succession of searches; along the titular passages, which allow humpback and blue whales to make their consistent excursions from the top of Western Australia to Antarctica – and back again – we witness the sea creatures’ search for nourishment in the ocean (whether it’s from love or food), whilst we’re left on the surface looking as to why they do it.

Highway Patrol

Whale Super Highway is both a celebration of the miraculous recovery of the humpback whale – which has climbed from a frighteningly low population of 200 in the 1980’s, to its recent removal from the endangered species list – and a stark warning of the majesty that we almost lost. In-between factual insights into the mating and travel habits of the humpback and blue whales, all narrated by Marta Dusseldorp, the immersive visuals, intensified by an all-encompassing screen which encourages one to scour the screen as if they’re actually at an aquarium, delivers glimpses into an underwater culture rarely witnessed by the human eye, which funnily enough, mirrors a lot of our own social and neurotic patterns in the macro.

With a sharp gaze locked onto the gliding whales, our introduction into this oceanic world is marine mammal scientist Bec Wellard, who, in company with whale expert Chris Burton, takes a deep dive (literally at times) into what exactly makes these mammoth mammals tick. Utilising every technological advantage at their disposal, the pair, as well as other experts in the field, attempt to translate the “songs” sung by the humpbacks that pierce their travels across the underwater highway.

It’s almost operatic, in terms of the nature of their crooning and how it figures into their breeding rituals, but these are not songs in the traditional sense – comprised of groans, grunts and squeaks (imagine if a balloon had the ability to beatbox), the male humpbacks attempt to serenade their potential partners to mixed results – using food as well if their crooning isn’t enough (relatable).

One major set-piece revolves around Wellard and Burton descending into the sea on the appropriately titled submersible Odyssea, to record any surrounding songs being sung; it’s at this moment the documentary fully embraces its Jacques Cousteau nature, foregrounding its human correspondents to help us understand the natural behaviours of those who live within these underwater realms. While substantial research is conducted – including collecting the snot that flies out of whale’s blowholes during each gasp for air – the film is merely a prompt for enthusiasm, rather than a chronicle of answers, stimulating further research and education within its audience who feel themselves truly invested by the plights of these mighty whales.

This is all effectively captured by Jon Shaw, who is no stranger to shooting the aquatic side of Australia, aiming a fisheye right back at the fish, taking advantage of his curved, 180º canvas to exhibit these gigantic creatures in all their organic glory. There’s been countless numbers of nature documentaries admiring the majesty of whales, but this format, and the footage that it produces, transcends being a visual gimmick, genuinely engrossing the audience into these maritime escapades.

Whale Super Highway: Conclusion

The 180º dome experience of Whale Super Highway practically adds another dimension to the piece – the immersion of 3D without the blurriness or necessity of added eyewear – making this film a necessary theatrical affair. Thoughtfully composed and steadily educational, Julia Redwood’s reflection on the domestic duties of the humpback whale – and how lucky we are to share the planet with them – is, like their northbound migration, a trip worth taking.

Prospero Productions will be making announcements regarding future dome screenings and TV/online release details later this year.