Welcome to Global Breakouts, a feature by Deadline that biweekly highlights standout TV shows and films from various regions around the globe. Despite the global nature of the industry, local hits continue to emerge, and keeping up with them can be challenging. That’s why we’re here to help. In this edition, we turn our attention to France, where the documentary Whispers in the Woods by wildlife photographer and filmmaker Vincent Munier has captivated over a million viewers in theaters, and is making promising strides internationally.
Name: Whispers in the Woods
Country: France
Producer: Paprika Films
Distributor: Haut et Court (France)
International Sales: The Bureau Sales
For fans of: The Oak, The March of the Penguins
Amid a French box office laden with Hollywood blockbusters, star-studded thrillers, and animated sequels, Whispers in the Woods stands uniquely. The film chronicles renowned wildlife photographer Vincent Munier as he revisits the Vosges, his native region in northeastern France, exploring the landscapes where he first began his photographic journey.
Munier, known for his captivating images of arctic wolves in northern Canada and snow leopards in Tibet, uses the film to express his deep connection to the Vosges’ ancient landscapes and their wildlife. He also delves into his personal relationships, highlighting the influences of his father, who instilled in him a love for natural beauty, and his intentions to pass this appreciation to his son.
Throughout the 90-minute documentary, viewers journey with Munier and his family across the Vosges Mountains. They partake in the quiet observation of the region’s wildlife, including deer, foxes, lynx, and rare birds, enriched with nighttime stories of past encounters.
The release of Whispers in the Woods in France coincided with major film debuts like James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, yet it quickly found its audience, climbing to fourth place in the box office over the holiday season and maintaining a top 10 position for seven weeks.
Today, the documentary has reached an impressive milestone with one million viewers, marking it as the most successful French documentary since Tomorrow by Cyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent in 2015, and Luc Jacquet’s March of the Penguins in 2005.
Producer Pierre-Emmanuel Fleurantin, from Paris-based Paprika Films, shared that due to high demand, the number of copies was increased to 950 at its peak, matching distributions typical of major films. He co-produced the film with Laurent Baujard under their company, alongside Munier’s Kobalann Production, France 3 Cinema, and Le Bureau.
Fleurantin also highlighted his previous collaboration with Munier on The Velvet Queen, which followed Munier’s journey to capture the elusive snow leopard in Tibet. This film grossed nearly $6M worldwide, with both documentaries having a budget of about $1.4M (€1.2M) each, a modest sum considering their box office success.
Whispers in the Woods is also showing signs of international success, having sold 50,000 tickets in Switzerland since its release, with Clementine Hugot of The Bureau Sales noting that it has already doubled the Swiss box office results of The Velvet Queen at the same stage.
The documentary’s appeal in France is notably strong in smaller towns and villages, attracting audiences who infrequently visit cinemas. The film’s story of knowledge being passed down through generations resonates deeply, adding to its broad appeal.
The film’s aesthetics have been particularly praised, with Fleurantin describing it as unmatched in its beauty among wildlife documentaries they have produced. The soundtrack, composed by Warren Ellis with Dom La Nena and Rosemary Standley, recently won Best Music at the French Lumière Awards and is now nominated for Best Documentary and Best Sound at the César Awards.
Looking ahead, Whispers in the Woods is set to be released in several European territories, with high anticipations for its simplicity and profound philosophical themes to resonate globally. The film’s candid and serene approach offers a welcome respite from the chaos of the world, promising a message that is poised to captivate international audiences.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
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