French film: wildlife documentary Whispers In The Woods
Vincent Munier's superb new film showcases the beauty of the Vosges region and its rare animals
Whispers In The Woods features Vincent Munier's father, pictured, seeking wildlife in the Vosges forest
Haut et Court
Nature lovers may have first become aware of the wildlife photographer documentary filmmaker Vincent Munier in 2021, when his superb debut film The Velvet Queen (La Panthère des neiges in French) – which follows Munier and writer Sylvain Tesson as they attempt to find a snow leopard in Tibet – won prestigious awards, including at the Césars and the Lumières in 2022 for best documentary.
His latest film, Whispers In The Woods (Le Chant des forêts), uses the same measured, slow-paced approach to storytelling, with the subject this time the forests and mountains of Munier’s native Vosges region in Grand Est.
He follows his own father and his young son as they embark on expeditions out into the often snow-covered countryside, camping out and wandering through the vegetation, listening for the calls and cries of certain birds and beasts, eager to get a glimpse or photograph of rare animals such as the tetras (capercaillie) and lynx.
The poetic narrative lends extra pathos, with the older Munier imparting ecological messages to his grandson, in a gentle, non-preachy manner.
The wildlife soundscapes are as compelling as the stunning visuals – we saw the film in January in the cinema for maximum aesthetic and aural effect – making this a wildlife must for 2026.
Streaming distribution to be confirmed.
