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DIR: BILL HANEY // 2005

A LIFE AMONG WHALES

2005 // 57 MIN

Weaving together natural history and biography, A Life Among Whales is a fascinating exploration into the unique relationship between humans and whales as told by renowned whale biologist and activist Dr. Roger Payne. For four decades Payne has advanced the boundaries of science and activism—beginning with his pioneering work on whale songs in the 1970, to his study of ocean pollution today. With beautiful and haunting imagery, this film forces us to question our stewardship of the Earth and our coexistence with some of its most intriguing creatures.

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DIRECTED BY

Bill Haney

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PRODUCED BY

Bill Haney

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CO-PRODUCED BY

Eric Grunebaum

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Tim Disney

Kees Kasander

Evert Van den Bos

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ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS

Nikke Bramley

Debra Longo
Jerry Risius

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CINEMATOGRAPHY

Chris Fadale

Rick Rosenthal
Ken Willinger

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EDITED BY

Peter Rhodes

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MUSIC BY

Flynn and Berman-Branco Music

“With beautiful and haunting images, Payne challenges us to become the greatest generation of all. Saving earth's largest creatures would open the door to humanity's recognition of our true role in the biosphere…"
– Bullfrog Films

 “This is a splendid film. It both soothes and shocks, as it introduces the viewer to the world's largest mammal and to the senseless carnage of whale hunting. Its message though is one of hope. Hope that there is still time to give back the ocean to this majestic creature. But we must begin now.”
– Henry Lee, Director, Environment and Natural Resources Program, Harvard University

 This is a beautiful film and a devastating film. It captures in words and images the majesty of the world's whales while chronicling the life and work of biologist Dr. Roger Payne. It is a cause for hope, as it shows how Payne's work in the 1960s and 1970s led to greater public awareness of the plight of whales and, eventually, an international moratorium on whaling in the 1980s. But the film is also a cause for concern and a call to action, revealing that the international consensus against whaling is beginning to unravel. All told, it's a thoughtful, humbling, and full-hearted film that makes it clear the destiny of whale populations must matter to us all."
– Jury Citation, Vermont International Film Festival
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