National Parks Project

National Parks Project, aired on Discovery World in 2011, is an intelligent and captivating series that beautifully blends the worlds of film, music, and nature. As audiences witness the breathtaking beauties of Canada's national parks, they are also treated to a diverse mix of rich cultural expressions and meditations on Canada's vast wilderness.

The series is part of an ambitious concept that commemorates the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada, the oldest national park service in the world. This ten-part anthology covers the expanse of the country, from the Yukon's Kluane National Park to Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia, ensuring a wide breadth of natural vistas and thriving ecosystems. The project explores the relationship that humanity shares with the wilderness, providing an engaging and enriching look at Canada's natural richness and distinct landscapes.

Each episode of the National Parks Project is directed by a different Canadian filmmaker, resulting in a mosaic of distinctive narrative styles, with each one presenting a unique interpretation of the Canadian wilderness. The diversity of these voices underscores the diversity of the Canadian landscape itself, ensuring the audience is consistently presented with fresh viewpoints and interpretations that challenge and excite.

Intriguingly, the series is almost entirely devoid of dialogue, relying instead on the power of images and music to create compelling storylines. This leads audiences not merely to observe the natural wonders of the national parks but to feel and reflect on them in profound ways. This sense of immersion is furthered by the presence of music.

Accompanying each filmmaker is a trio of Canadian musicians who are given the task of composing and recording a musical score inspired by the park. This soundtrack is scored and recorded entirely on location, creating a palpable link between the musicians' work and the landscapes. This has resulted in a wide range of musical styles that coexist under the umbrella of the project, from indigenous throat singing to modern electronic music.

In this light, National Parks Project comes across more than just a TV show - it is an artistic collaboration locked in a fascinating dialogue with nature. The music is part of the environment and reflects its every mood, from serene to tempestuous and back again. The films present nature as a silent protagonist, a powerful force with a story to tell, a muse guiding the hands of artists and musicians as they create their work. It's a call to appreciate and preserve, to understand and wonder.

Some episodes focus heavily on the raw magnificence of these environments, capturing stunning aerial views of mountains, serene lakes, dense forests, and stunning wildlife interactions. Others strive to illustrate the spiritual and cultural connections that various groups of people have developed with these regions over the ages, adding an extra layer to the audience's understanding and appreciation of the values these parks hold.

The National Parks Project speaks to a universal sense of journey and exploration, challenging us to reconsider our understanding of wilderness and our relationship with the natural world. Furthermore, the show manages to instill a sense of responsibility towards the protection and preservation of these national treasures. It’s a visual and aural joy from start to finish, and for anyone with a love for nature, art, film, or music, it’s an indispensable experience.

The blend of iconic Canadian storytelling, transcendent natural scenery, and innovative music has resulted in a singularly touching and inspiring TV series, which manages to straddle the line between entertainment and education. National Parks Project is a thoughtful and inventive examination of the natural world, which remains just as relevant and resonant in today's climate as it was during its initial airing in 2011.

In conclusion, the Discovery World's National Parks Project is a tribute to and celebration of Canada's national parks. It’s an exploration of the sublime beauty of nature and the way it moves us to create and celebrate. It underscores the importance of the preservation and protection of these spaces for future generations, serving as a reminder of the intrinsic value they carry. The series offers an emotional journey through Canada's national parks and humanity's relationship with their wild spaces - a journey well worth taking.