Conversation with the filmmaker of Sounds of the South
We have many times discussed the importance of seeing the polar regions in person rather than relying too much on stories, photos, or even movies.
Even for those lucky enough to visit the Arctic or Antarctica, we stress how crucial it is to put the camera down and really absorb the sights and sounds around you. The most striking photo or video will never compare to the real thing, and it’s always a tragic irony when we see guests experiencing wonderful polar moments through their camera or cellphone lenses – and all in the attempt to capture a magic that can’t really be captured and can only marginally be communicated.
That said, we understand the importance of trying. This is exactly what German filmmaker Hubert Neufeld did when he made his 2021 nature documentary, Sounds of the South, with Dutch musician Ruben Hein.
Detailing their expansive far-south voyage among the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula, Sounds of the South delivers scene after scene of stunning landscapes and exotic wildlife encounters, all overlaid with Hein’s original music compositions.
We recently interviewed Ruben Hein about this fascinating project, but now it’s time to consult the filmmaker himself.
Picture by Hubert Neufeld
This project began as a short film commissioned by Oceanwide, then it turned into something larger. How did that happen?
It evolved on the vessel and especially after getting back from the trip. So many things happened during the voyage, and I was producing so much good footage already. I began to realize we shouldn’t limit the film to a certain length.
When we got back and I was in the editing room during COVID-19, I had a lot of time to think about it. So the film grew even more into something that was part nature documentary, part prestige project for Oceanwide, part travelogue for Ruben. When I approached Oceanwide and proposed that we make an actual feature-length movie like this, they agreed it would work.
Had you done projects in the polar regions before?
Yes, I had even been on this specific trip to Antarctica, the Falklands, and South Georgia the year before. I knew most of the locations we visited, which helped me focus on Ruben’s experience and not get too distracted by all the locations and wildlife we saw.
I always liked the idea of doing this kind of documentary with music in between. It gives you a chance to listen to the music in a relaxed way and also show a lot of nature. We recorded most of Ruben’s voiceovers off site, giving him time to reflect and think about what he wanted to say and then record his thoughts in a noise-free space.
Picture by Hubert Neufeld
Do you tend to make films that are deeply intertwined with music?
I started out by making music videos, so it’s pretty important to my process. But with Sounds of the South, I worked a little different: for example, I asked Ruben to write songs that would bring about a certain mood in the film for specific locations, like Grytviken or the Lemaire Channel.
Did you and Ruben know each other well before the trip?
No, just a few online meetings and one physical meeting before the trip. I went to Amsterdam to shoot Ruben’s scenes there, but we had not had much in-person contact before then. But our businesses, film and music, are highly social. So we knew how to make this work even if we were relative strangers when we went on the trip.
Did you more or less have the same vision for the tone of the film?
You don’t always know where things are going to go. And until you’re in the editing room, you do not always even know what you have. But before going on the voyage, Ruben and I had had a lot of conversations about nature and conservation and what we wanted the audience to feel.
For us it was a bit melancholy to go to the polar regions and see so much beauty, all while realizing how vulnerable it is. Not everyone who goes on these trips feels this way, of course, but for me the experience changed so much about how I live day to day. I’m also much more interested in wildlife and especially birds.
Picture by Hubert Neufeld
That is one of the things we most like to see: our guests returning from their trips with a newfound sense of nature advocacy.
Yes, and I can also say that it’s so important that people realize they can see the same thing at home. You don’t have to necessarily go to all these exotic places. There is nature right outside your door that is beautiful and precious and worth protecting.
Wherever you live, you can appreciate some piece of nature. You can go to your local creek or woods or any nearby ecosystem. I’ve seen so many of the animals people dream about, but they are no more special than the owls that live in my little corner of Austria. This is something that is so important but that most people overlook, I think.
We couldn’t agree more. Even so, it seems you share our particular love of the polar regions. Have you been to the Arctic as well?
Yes, I have been to Greenland, Svalbard, and Northern Norway – all with Oceanwide. For a long time, I have been drawn to the colder areas of nature. I’m not really sure why. Some of my friends have even noticed my attraction for them. For some reason, I am fine watching documentaries about the desert and jungle, but the polar regions I like to see in person.
You talked about how the Antarctica trip impacted your life personally. What was your experience of the aftermath of the film once you had released it?
At first it was quite exhausting to do the distribution. Entering into all the festivals, exchanging all the emails, and networking with all the people was a lot of work. But we got into some cool events like the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, and we did the premiere at Mountainfilm Graz. We also showed it in Amsterdam with Pathé, though sadly this was still during COVID.
Picture by Hubert Neufeld
Where can people see Sounds of the South now?
Depending on where you are, you can rent it on Vimeo and Amazon Prime UK, USA, Germany & Italy. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from people, some who saw it in the cinema and others who streamed it. Most of the good responses I’ve gotten have been from people who saw it in cinema, where the music and shots can really stand out. That’s where it is meant to be seen.
You mentioned how much your trip deepened your love of nature. Would you recommend other people take a Arctic or Antarctic cruise for the same reason?
I think some people, many people, just need an ignition nature moment in order to appreciate the magic they can enjoy in their own local ecosystems. This goes hand in hand with information, I think, like the lectures Oceanwide offers on their trips. If you know something about the places and species you’re encountering, it can really enrich your experience of them.
But again, as I said, it’s important that people realize they don’t have to go to the polar regions to do this. Sure, it helps to be in an exotic location and see rare animals you cannot see anywhere else. But it’s not necessary. We can all have these experiences in our very own backyards. Just walk outside, go to your local park, go anywhere nature is. That’s your access point.
Picture by Hubert Neufeld
Main image by Hubert Neufeld