Elementa

In Wildness is the preservation of the World.
– Henry David Thoreau

Deep in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest lives a rare, unique and seldom seen creature, a black bear with white fur, known in these parts as Moksgm’ol (the ghost bear). According to local mythology, the creator Raven asked the Black bear to make one-in-ten cubs white, as a reminder of the Great White Time, when the world was covered in ice.

Ice, fire, earth, air and æther collide in this artistic, environmental and global feature which demands the viewer manifest their individual narrative, visually guided by compelling cinematography from our wildest lands. Experience the vast wilderness of the white continent and ancient rainforests to the revered power of the world’s oceans and erupting volcanoes.

Elementa is a black-and-white visual meditation of wilderness and the elements. Award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Richard Sidey returns to the triptych format for a cinematic experience like no other.

Filmed over five years on seven continents, Elementa is Sidey’s second feature collaboration with ambient composer Boreal Taiga, and completes the director’s Speechless trilogy.

Prepare yourself for full immersion.

Directed by Richard Sidey
Music by Boreal Taiga
Produced by Galaxiid

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Heart-stopping and heartbreaking.
I think it is the most beautiful film that I have ever seen.
Lynn Freeman | Radio New Zealand

Rich, visceral and fully-immersive…
Mindfood

A mesmerising odyssey with jaw-dropping cinematography.
Newshub

Elementa stands out as a film that pushes the boundaries of the documentary form through innovative artistic and stylistic choices that leave a lasting emotional impression.
Doc Edge Jury

Engulfed in sound, stimulating visuals, ethereal graphics and transitions, “Elementa” lifts its viewer to a place of exaltation.
Mosaic World Film Festival

If this is your first immersion into the director’s “Speechless” series, your heart and spirits will soar bearing witness to the natural world through Richard Sidey’s eyes and Boreal Taiga’s film score.
Down In Edin

AWARDS

Spotlight Award – Best Feature
Mosaic World Film Festival

Best New Zealand Feature
Doc Edge Festival

Best New Zealand Cinematography
Doc Edge Festival

Mike Hales – KUWNZ

“A moving triptych combining multiple screens and a mediative, ambient soundtrack by Boreal Taiga, Elementa is a circular journey from the ice pack to the land and back. Brilliantly simple, this is an absorbing journey that inspires awe, sadness and leaves you feeling like you’ve been nudged into action.

Richard Sidey has travelled to all seven continents over five years to compile this vision, and it is a treat on the eyes and ears that almost acts as a meditation session. I certainly felt transported and fascinated. Perfectly shot and edited with real care, Elementa does what great film can do at its best and provide a feast for the eyes but also tickle the grey matter behind your eyes. It works as a moving picture frame on the world but when combined with the soundtrack, you will find yourself drawn in and come away with so much more than a voyeur’s virtual travelogue.”

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