Filming Underway In Galápagos Islands On ‘Lions Of The Sea,’ Documentary Using “Fantastic Realism” To Explore Majestic Marine Mammal

Matthew Carey
·2 min read
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EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in the Galápagos Islands on Lions of the Sea, a documentary described as “an immersive journey into the compelling lives of sea lions in their unique environment.”

The film is being directed by JAMAICANOPROBLEM, the nom de cinéma of Ecuadorian explorer and filmmaker Luis Felipe Fernández-Salvador y Campodonico. The all-star lineup of talent behind the scenes includes producer Adam Leipzig, former president of National Geographic Documentary Films, who led the acquisition of March of the Penguins – one of the most successful documentaries of all time.

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L-R Guillermo Navarro, Adam Leipzig, and JAMAICANOPROBLEM
L-R Guillermo Navarro, Adam Leipzig and Jamaicanoproblem

Guillermo Navarro, the Oscar-winning cinematographer of Pan’s Labyrinth, is heading a team of photographers described as “the world’s best nature and underwater documentarians.” He is also an executive producer of Lions of the Sea. Fellow Oscar winner Nicolas Becker (Sound of Metal) serves as sound designer on the project.

According to a release, “the film will be a work of fantastic realism, exploring the daily adventures, social dynamics, and remarkable role of sea lions in one of the most biodiverse and protected ecosystems on the planet.”

JAMAICANOPROBLEM’s credits include A Son of Man, Ecuador’s official selection for the Best International Feature for the 2019 Academy Awards, and the 2013 short El Cazador. His most recent film, the documentary Waorani Omede Beye Ante Nee Adani, centers on an uncontacted Amazonian tribe.

'Lions of the Sea'
‘Lions of the Sea’

The director said in a statement, “With Lions of the Sea, we will reveal the stunning character and beauty of Galápagos sea lions. The film will be an emotional journey of love and adversity. We aim to inspire audiences to appreciate and safeguard the natural wonders around us and raise awareness about the importance of conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures.”

Sea lion pup in 'Lion of the Sea'
‘Lions of the Sea’

The documentary is a production of Paracas Independent Films, a company “dedicated to producing high-quality, informative, and visually stunning films that showcase the beauty of the natural world through a lens of realismo fantastico, an original manifesto of its director Luis Felipe Fernandez Salvador.”

Chadi Abo, known for his work on The Matrix Reloaded and 300, and Oscar-nominated documentary The Cave, will serve as post-production producer. Mido DeSanti will be co-producer.

The Galápagos Islands, a volcanic chain 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are “famous for a wealth of unique plants and animals found nowhere else in the world,” according to WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). “The Galápagos Islands were the source of Darwin’s theory of evolution and remain a priceless living laboratory for scientists today.”

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