Deep in the Heart
Texas native Matthew McConaughey reminds us to just keep livin’ green in Ben Masters’ masterful nature doc.
Don’t mess with Texas: Bison and calf, the thriving descendants of the few that remained in the Texas Panhandle after being slaughtered to near extinction in the 1870s.
The first nature documentary devoted to the Lone Star State stars an astonishing ensemble of species. From the ocelot to the blind cave-dwelling catfish, the uninitiated may be surprised to learn what resides under these great southern skies. With a sense of humour that recalls Walt Disney’s pioneering True-Life Adventures, writer/director Ben Masters crafts a compelling call to action to conserve the wildlife and wild places of Texas. A group of cinematographers provides the remarkable lay of the land through gorgeous photography, capturing remarkable wild moments from the animal world. Matthew McConaughey lends a soothing Texas twang to the narration, inviting audiences on an intimate journey into the wonders of his home state. With a title that recalls the hit parade tune turned phrase, Deep in the Heart is a celebration of all things Texan.
From the ‘Top of Texas’ views at Guadalupe Peak to thriving coral reefs in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Texas offers a bounty of beauty. Wetlands are home to animals like the 70 million-year-old species of alligator gar, while Bracken Cave hosts the largest congregation of mammals on the planet, serving as the summer home of the Mexican free-tailed bat. A state carved by rivers, eighty percent of the aquifers reside underneath the land — a vital natural resource that humans are overusing. Over the years, Texas has lost nearly one half of its wetlands and natural flood control. Situated on the border between the United States and Mexico, South Texas is now home to hundreds of species that have suffered from loss of habitat and depend on the area for survival, including the endangered ocelot. This vivid journey through the great state reveals the universal power of nature to inspire and connect us.
It’s startling to see just how close the bison really were to extinction. Staggering historical photos of a mountain of skulls demonstrate there was nearly no home where the buffalo roam. Thankfully, laws ended the commercial bison trade and the species survived, proving time can reverse some degree of the damage we homo sapiens have caused — if we work together to implement changes to preserve our shared habitats. It’s a strong reminder that wildlife doesn’t exist in isolation. We have a responsibility to protect this planet, our interconnected ecosystems, and this unique world we all call home. Who better to lead the way than Texas, which proclaims a state motto of ‘Friendship’.
Help keep the planet ‘alright, alright, alright’. Learn more and take action to preserve Texas wildlife: https://www.deepintheheartwildlife.com/take-action
CHAD KENNERK
Featuring a cast of incredible creatures; narrated by Matthew McConaughey.
Dir Ben Masters, Pro Katy Baldock and Jay Kleberg, Screenplay Ben Masters, Ph Skip Hobbie, Ed Sam Klatt, Music Noah Sorota, Sound Lyman Hardy.
Fin & Fur Films.
101 min. USA. 2022. US Rel: 3 June 2022. No Cert.
