'Transcendently beautiful' film has perfect Rotten Tomatoes score
Audiences cannot stop singing the praises of this extraordinary documentary for its powerful environmental message and stunning portrayal of the natural world.
The Velvet Queen is a French-language documentary which chronicles two novice filmmakers, Sylvain Tesson and Vincent Munier, embarking on an expedition to locate an elusive snow leopard in Tibet.
Their mission to learn more about this mysterious creature involves tracking wildlife, exercising considerable patience for potential sightings, and mastering the delicate skill of finding ideal observation points.
Released in 2021, their on-screen adventure guides audiences through Tibet's spectacular mountain ranges, home to countless unknown species. The pair make profound observations whilst beginning to ponder humanity's role alongside the remarkable animals and stunning landscapes they encounter during their expedition.
The gorgeous film features a soundtrack composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, later distributed by Lakeshore Records. The stirring musical accompaniment has been praised as "naturally wonderful" and has resonated deeply with countless viewers.
One glowing Rotten Tomatoes review said: "A magnificent documentary that follows an improbable duo in search of wonder in a nature so beautiful when it is preserved. The editing and production provide real suspense to this quest for the snow leopard.", reports the Express.
Another viewer added: "A breath of fresh air. Inspiring. I love how they use the shots sparingly. Every single shot felt extremely detailed, and I cannot fit the entirety of what I have to say about this movie in a single review."
Nature enthusiasts were mesmerised by the stunning portrayal of wildlife, with one fan saying: "The work of these geniuses, impossibly, is concomitant to the subjects themselves," and marvelling, "The animals are astonishing."
Describing a pivotal moment, a viewer added: "When La Panthère makes its appearance, given the context of patience and the backdrop of wonder, an image of raw and honest beauty is seared into your being. You see in those eyes the apotheosis of nature. There's your prophet. If you're unmoved by this, you're immovable."
The snow leopard, known for being elusive and challenging to film, is at the heart of The Velvet Queen, which was shot over several weeks, showcasing the crew's remarkable commitment to capturing the majestic creature.
One glowing five-star review read: "This movie spoke to me on so many levels. Perfect, astonishing, and philosophical. Nothing I say here can quite cover it."
Meanwhile, another reviewer described the film as both "essential" and "intense."
The documentary set out to showcase the splendour of our planet and succeeded, bagging the Best Documentary Film at the 47th César Awards and also clinching Best Documentary at the 27th Lumière Awards.
A viewer expressed their experience as a "much-needed mini vacation from our current world condition," which resonates with many seeking an escape.
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