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OKAPI - a Memory in Film from the Ituri

Category: people, wildlife | Date: Sep 21 2007 | By: admin


If I (and this is Terese Hart again) — If I start to reminisce about that first Okapi study to the east and north of where the Lomami dumps into the Congo River, I remember the film.

Soon after the birth of our youngest daughter, Eleanor (who turns 18 this weekend), Alan Root a maker of African nature films came to see what we were doing. With incredible patience, both for animals and researchers, and with incredible ingenuity both he and his young camera man Bruce Davidson set out to follow and record the okapi study and a study of rain forest antelope (duikers) we were just getting underway.

Some of the singers and some of the dear friends and colleagues of this film are no longer with us, but I think of “Hearts of Brightness” as a tribute to them all and to the way of life they still maintain.

7 Responses to “OKAPI - a Memory in Film from the Ituri”

michael, on 21 Sep 2007

wonderfull wonderfull film.

ps: best wishes to your daughter.
(my daughter is also 18 years old since
may and i want to show her this film to
get a glimps of this life)

Terese, on 22 Sep 2007

I do hope that your daughter enjoys it. Eleanor has started a first year of university in the USA and seems to be thriving.

colleen, on 27 Sep 2007

This is incredible - thanks for posting it, so much inspiration, do you think Mr. Root would ever consider putting his footage to music? or is that blasphemy? either way, thanks again - a treasure.

Ashley Vosper, on 27 Sep 2007

Terese here: One of the most incredibly precious personal memories is Mbuti music. It is central to their culture — and it IS magic. It is communal, hocket,almost entirely vocal… and it just surrounds, encompasses…

Rauf Niaz, on 03 Oct 2007

Awww…this was incredible and wonderful. I am full of love seeing how your family integrated with that wonderful environment and people.
My best wishes and Thanks for sharing

SELLES BROTONS, on 25 Jan 2008

I’m french and I have discovered your film today. It’s very wonderful and extraordinary. I have not enough word to say what I think of it. A real history of the life in the forest as I like it. Thank you. My best wishes

teresehart, on 31 Jul 2008

Je viens de voir votre commentaire aujourd’hui. Je vous remercie et j’espère que vous allez suivre aussi l’aventure d’aujourd’hui que j’espère aboutira dans une aire protégée!

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