David Attenborough's Perth-based birthday celebrations
James Arvanitakis & Nicola Forrest. Picture: Alan Chau / The West Australian
More than 100 people gathered at Luna Palace Cinema in Leederville for the Perth premiere of Ocean with David Attenborough.
The premiere was hosted by Minderoo Foundation, a major backer of the Attenborough film via its impact film fund, Minderoo Pictures.
The film exposes the devastating impacts of bottom trawling, coral bleaching and rising ocean temperatures, while drawing on Attenborough's seven-decade career to share a powerful message of hope: while the ocean is in crisis, recovery is still possible – if we choose to act.
Minderoo Foundation co-founder Nicola Forrest said the film would inspire change at a critical time for the world's oceans and the communities and people they sustain.
'It's more than a documentary - it's a wake-up call,' Ms Forrest told guests.
'Long-form storytelling through film speaks to us in a unique way. It has the capacity to cut through, it can create movements for change and even trigger cultural shifts.'
The Perth premiere coincided with Sir David's 99th birthday, making it an especially meaningful celebration of his legacy and lifelong dedication to nature and science.
One of the cinematographers on the film, Tom Park, who shot scenes at the Great Barrier Reef said it was surreal to hear the legend narrate his footage.
'For me, he's been an idol for as long as I can remember, he's inspired generations of us,' Park said.
'Happy Birthday and if you ever make it to Aus, I'd love to buy you a beer.'
Managing director of Sea Shepherd Australia Jeff Hansen was also at the premiere and thanked Attenborough for being 'a bloody legend'.
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