Wilding

Films about our world, the soil we walk on and the animals we study, will always give us food for thought. Nature is, after all, intrinsic to our lives. It’s why we’re so captivated by shows like Blue Planet or drawn to stories like Blackfish. Wilding, directed by David Allen, centres our gaze on 3500 acres in West Sussex, mixing documentary with acted story-telling in this splendid feature about the hope for the British countryside.

Based on the best-selling book by Isabella Tree, Wilding tracks her and her aristocratic husband Charles Burrell in their youth, and retrospectively today, on their journey to rewild their over-farmed land. In 2000, they sold all of their equipment and embarked on an experiment that came down to “leave everything alone and let nature do its thing”. Decades later, it’s safe to say that the Knepp estate is a huge success. It may not be trimmed to perfection or symmetrically seeded, but that’s the point. Biodiversity thrives at Knepp, no matter its wildness.

Their experiments did not come without trouble. Sequences show tense meetings where bureaucracy and local farmers came together to denounce the couple’s work. In keeping with the tone of the movie though, it doesn’t dwell on this, and instead shows the glorious outcomes.

Viewers of Wilding are treated to some sensational shots. Cinematographers Tim Cragg and Simon De Glanville capture the buzzing grasslands with soft attention, making the whole thing seem hazy and drenched in morning dew. The closeups of the animals are so intimate it’s sometimes startling. They make the wild seem calm, adding to the uplifting feel of the feature.

Right now, there are many things we need from art about the environment. High-energy, invigorating stories are one, yes, but Wilding is an example of another. It is a hopeful tale of environmental success, not just for our country, but for our planet. It doesn’t lie and say there won’t be pushback, but shows the value of sticking to your guns. Of course, it’s that much easier when you’re an aristocrat with land to spare, but maybe Wilding could be a push for those in similar positions, showing that Britain could once more be a fairy tale haven for bugs, berries and boars alike. 

Talitha Stowell

Wilding is released in select cinemas on 14^th June 2024.

Watch the trailer for Wilding here: