A Sea of Surprises

A Sea of Surprises - Bunaken an untouched palette

One of the latest place in the world where corals are still colourful and sustain an array of different and strange creatures.

All around the world, coral reefs are losing their wonderful colours due to global warming.
This documentary is focusing on a small archipelago, Bunaken, which remains a miraculous exception.

Lying on the northern tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia, this rich and diversified ecosystem sustains an array of different and bizarre marine creatures, making it a centre of great bio-diversity. At Bunaken corals, for reasons yet to be fully understood, are still in good shape and with many more species than elsewhere. This healthy and colourful expanse of coral enhances an environment for an extraordinary number of different creatures linked directly or indirectly to the reef. Eccentric animals, tricksters, impersonators, carnival creatures have been caught on film, with descriptions of their unique behaviour patterns. Among many species "A Sea of Surprises" portrays also critters that are very rare or absent elsewhere like the mimic pigmy seahorse, or the blue-ribbon eels catching highly poisonous catfish.

The film is also describing the work of two dedicated researchers, Massimo Boyer and Paola Bearzi, who constantly monitor the health of the ecosystem, often taking new approaches to conservation.

So far, the outstanding palette of Bunaken shows no sign of fading away.

Completed June 2001

30' As part of the Series Forgotten Edens

Producer: Andrea Maggi
Photography: Valter Torri
Narration: Jenny Devitt