Film & TV

Falkland Islanders are no strangers to the fame and fortune of film and television. Recently the BBC’s “An Island Parish” presented many aspects of Falkland life. From the mid-winter swim to oil exploration activity, lambing work to Remembrance Services, the series covered a diversity of everyday activities and the Falklands’ weather at its best.

“Fishing Impossible” featured Falkland Islanders and whilst most visitors would not choose an adapted bicycle to try to catch a toothfish from the deep sea, the presenters ably demonstrated the ease with which local mullet and trout can be fished from rivers and estuaries.

Many wildlife documentaries use footage from the Falklands with some dedicated solely to our wildlife. Photographing and filming many species in their natural environment is very easy.

The BBC’s “Penguins – Spy in the Huddle” gave a penguin’s eye view of life. Highlights included the “rockhopper shower” on Saunders Island, where rockhopper penguins almost queue to take it in turns to stand under fresh running water and a striated caracara, known locally as the Johnny Rook, stealing an egg-cam.

Steve Backshall and his crew came face to face with many fascinating creatures filming BBC’s “Deadly Pole to Pole” including southern sealions, fur seals, giant petrels, albatross and those “bad-boy raptors”, the Johnny Rooks! For intimate encounters with these birds, try the National Geographic’s “Flying Devils”. Described as “thieving vandals”, their behaviour is nevertheless captivating and shows how close the birds will approach. Don’t leave your own camera lying around when they are near.

Nigel Marven created “Killer Whale Islands”. He came to film penguins, seals and rare birds as well as the killer whales hunting in packs. He describes the “amazing scene” as “a pod of orcas taught their young the hunting tactics that make these beautiful but deadly creatures the greatest predators in the southern seas”.

Father and son team, Peter and Dan Snow, visited to film an episode for the BBCs “20^th Century Battlefields”, finding out about Sea Harrier fighting jets and experiencing a night-exercise under live fire!  

Dan said that he "loved" his time in the Islands: "There's a lot of snobbery back in England about the Falkland Islands but it's undeserved. We've had a great time."

Come and see for yourself!