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Bristol’s urban wildlife uncovered in ‘sensational’ new documentary
From the secret lives of foxes to the flight of peregrine falcons, a new documentary unearths the wild animals that call Bristol home.
In a city famed globally for its wildlife filmmaking, Bristol: A Hidden Eden looks closer to home than most to delve into the often hidden treasures right on our doorstep.
Compiled by a 20-strong student team from the University of Bristol, the 17-minute documentary features the UK’s largest mammal, the profusion of wildlife to be found in Eastville Park, the nighttime adventures of urban foxes and the city’s “greatest conservationist” – the goat.
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Some of the filming took three years, including 4am wakeups and night shoots, to complete and the finished film has been described as “sensational” by naturalist Steve Backshall.
Director and producer Matteo Clarke began planning the documentary during his first year as a zoology student at Bristol University, having picked the city because of its reputation as the global capital of wildlife filmmaking.
The 21-year-old said: “I think we were all really motivated to make this because we were making a proper wildlife documentary about the amazing wildlife in our own city.
“And also to challenge ourselves that if you put your mind to it, you can make a great documentary with the animals that are right at our doorstep.”
Matteo, who since graduating has secured a researcher role with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, added: “One of the biggest challenges was filming the kingfisher sequence, it took me three years to get enough good footage.
“But with the help of the members – waking up at 4am before uni started – we managed to film enough of these elusive birds to make something worthy for the documentary.”
Some of the team behind Bristol: A hidden Eden, a wildlife documentary filmed in the city – photo University of Bristol
Bristol: A Hidden Eden was produced and directed by Matteo Clarke. The assistant producers were Luke Hurricks, Isabelle Spring and Bryony Morgan. It was narrated by Charley Greenwood and the researchers were Oliver Pink, Max Derème, Louis Plumley and Felix Roland.
Main photo: From Bristol: A Hidden Eden
Read more: Video: Corner of Kingswood full of fox friends
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