Inside new boundary-breaking BBC doc with Planet Earth cameraman and rising star following in Attenborough’s footsteps
IT’S been 45 years since Sir David Attenborough’s landmark Life On Earth documentary saw him trek the Rwandan jungle and enjoy a playful encounter with mountain gorillas.
The broadcaster posed with the playful primates, as he brought the life, and struggles, of these animals to life in people’s living rooms in what marked the start of the height of his career.
But now, one of Sir David Attenborough’s cameramen will follow in his footsteps, with a new BBC Two documentary all about Congo’s eastern lowland gorilla population.
And it could make him natural world documentary makings next big thing, if David’s career is anything to go by.
Vianet Djenguet, who was worked for the natural history legend capturing footage for Planet Earth III and Life In Colour, steps in front of the camera for the first time in the 90-minute special.
It follows the three months the cameraman spent in the jungle filming and working alongside the wild creatures, trying to habituate them to get used to the presence of humans.
And despite the similarity in subject matter, Vianet, insists he’s not after Sir David’s job – just to kickstart his own.
He exclusively tells The Sun: “Of course I could never compete with Sir David when it comes to telly, he’s our godfather in this industry and all of us revere him.
“But there’s no doubt he’s inspired me, and working for him on two projects – I’ve learned from watching the very best.
“I’ve just got to work on my voiceovers because there was just something so disappointing about the sound of my own voice.
“But maybe after my 30th or 40th documentary, though not even close to the number David has done, I’ll start to like it a little more.
“But being in front of the camera for the first time was the most thrilling experience I’ve ever had.”
Vianet started his career as a cameraman on BBC soap Casualty, but made an exciting change of career which saw him filming in the most remote locations in the world to capture the world’s creatures.
He adds: “Firstly, I just wanted to be a wildlife cameraman, someone who filmed beautiful things, and it got shown on TV in these sweeping, dramatic nature documentaries.
“But after a few experiences with the animals, I realised that there are so many species out there that need their voices heard.
“It’s not just filming, there’s a much deeper element to all of this – and I was keen to pursue that, even if it meant putting myself in danger from time to time.”
And there’s no shortage of danger for Vianet in this series, as he undergoes the controversial practice of habituation with the silverback tribe deep in the jungle.
Habituation gets the animals used to human presence, to stop clashes between the primates and local people, and to allow tourists to visit for close encounters, generating cash to conserve them.
Vianet explains: “It’s important to remember that this is vital to their survival, and for the communities living around them, by creating a balance between people and nature.
“The process is dangerous, and it’s testing physically, mentally and emotionally – from start to end it can take up to ten years of dedicated work.
“But at the end of the day, we have to be cruel to be kind with the gorillas – what may look or feel like us antagonising this creature will actually help it to survive in the bigger picture, and I just try my best to do what’s right for conservation.”
In one shocking scene as part of the habituation, Vianet’s ankle is grabbed by an alpha male gorilla as he steps closer towards his territory and films him up close.
Vianet says: “I’ve had close encounters with many animals, including being mock charged by elephants in Kenya, but nothing compared to this silverback.
“To gain their trust you have to stand tall, you have to prove that you are strong enough, but also that you want to be their friend, that you are not going to harm them.
“But we had pushed and pushed with this gorilla to see where we could get out of him, but at the end of the day, we have to remember he’s a wild animal.
“So in one moment when we were close and filming him, he ran up to us and he grabbed my left foot as if to pull me down and drag me away.
“Luckily he let go, as if he just wanted to warn me that he could if he wanted to, and to get me to understand that he is the boss, that he decides when I could film, that I had to respect him even though he’s a gentle giant, he doesn’t want to harm anyone.
“People think gorillas are scary animals, especially these very wild alpha males, but in truth they are for the most part very gentle giants protecting the females and their babies.
“Even so, I don’t think I said this on camera, but when he came for my foot, I nearly s*** myself. I was trembling, I was sweating, shaking and my heart was beating.
“It was one of those filming moments that was a real highlight, looking back on it.”
Still, it hasn’t put Vianet off from pursuing his dreams of bringing his favourite creatures from across the globe to our living room screens to educate folks on conservation.
Vianet concludes: “I don’t have anything for certain in place right now to film, but I’ve got loads of things that I want to work on after having some time at home.
“I want to get back out there and make a film about elephants, because I have a real passion for these animals, and then maybe another programme on some cute, small baby lions.”
Silverback airs at 9pm on Sunday on BBC Two.
