Film from Waterbear Highlights Devastating Effects of Bird Poaching

Park Village directors, Studio Birthplace, set out to capture the journey of a single bird, from being captured in the wild to living in a cage as a pet. The team conducted extensive on-the-ground research, followed a bird poacher for several days, and filmed in three real wildlife markets.

The project launches exclusively on WaterBear Network today as the free streaming platform continues to tell stories from the front line of climate and social activism. The film’s release falls in line with the beginning of a longer relationship between Park Village and Waterbear across development of several long form projects.

Soundtracked by Ludovico Einaudi’s sweeping song 'Low Mist', the new film uncovers a devastating pet industry that silences forests worldwide, highlighting the consequences of bird poaching on biodiversity and the world's ecosystem. Campaign Advisor and Photographer, Paul Hilton worked alongside the team to capture the essence of the heart-wrenching story.

Globally, 49% of bird species are declining, and one in eight are threatened with extinction. Southeast Asia alone is home to over one-fifth of global bird species with large-scale wildlife trafficking being rife throughout the region, as a result of the global pet trade demand.

Being one of the most ubiquitous contemporary composers of the century and the highest-streamed classical pianist of all time, Ludovico Einaudi previously brought attention to the protection of the Arctic Ocean. Now, Einaudi shares his platform to bring attention to the issue of wild bird trafficking.

Ludovico Einaudi stated, "Music has the ability to transcend language barriers and connect with people on a deep emotional level, raising awareness on important issues and having a positive impact on the world. With nearly half of the world's wild bird species in decline, and one in eight at risk of extinction, we must stop the trafficking of wild birds. Let's leave them free, let's keep them out of cages."

Sam Sutaria, CEO of WaterBear, commented, "This film explores the line between fascination and destruction and how the pet industry can lead to the devastation of ecosystems around the world.

We're so excited to work with the esteemed Ludovico Einaudi to bring this issue to life - raising greater awareness around the threat we are causing to biodiversity and animal extinction is vital right now. Through the universal power of music and film, Broken Wings captures the innate beauty of wild birds and the fatal suffering being inflicted on them.”

To tie in with the new release, Indonesia-based NGO Thrive Conservation has compiled a report on the wild bird trade in Southeast Asia for viewers who want to learn more. They are working to protect birds in Indonesia, a country with more globally threatened bird species than anywhere else in the world. Viewers will be urged to stop caging wild birds and donate to Thrive Conservation.

Broken Wings was filmed over a period of seven days. The birds that were poached while filming were released back into the wild at the end of the shoot.

Park Village and WaterBear look forward to sharing further long form projects currently in the pipeline together.