For decades, David Attenborough has been the face and voice of some of the world’s most celebrated documentaries on planet Earth, wildlife, climate and the environment. And beyond the camera, filmmaker Victoria Bobin says David, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 8, is just as remarkable in real life.
On how is David in real life
Victoria has closely collaborated with David Attenborough throughout her journey as a documentary director and producer. She was also associated with the grand tribute held in David’s honour at Royal Albert Hall earlier this year to celebrate his milestone birthday.
Speaking about David, Victoria described him as genuine, charming and incredibly passionate, offering a rare glimpse into the man behind the iconic voice.
“He is a delight to work with. He’s an absolute joy. As people who watch him on television would imagine, he is charming, passionate and intelligent as he is on screen. He is the same when you meet him in person. He is so interested in everything you are telling him in terms of the program, or the discovery of a new species or a new conservation idea. He is as thoughtful, insightful, genuine and authentic in person as he is when you watch him on the screen,” Victoria says.
Through programmes such as Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants and The Blue Planet, David Attenborough has brought audiences face-to-face with the beauty, brutality and sheer strangeness of the natural world — all narrated in his signature soft, melodic voice that reflects a childlike wonder for everything he encounters.
Talking about working with David, Victoria reveals, “I have worked with him very closely for more than 10 years…Over the years, I’ve directed him on several documentaries… Even at this age, we still go to David (for suggestions). Apart from being a presenter, he is a great program maker. He has very good editorial judgment. We discuss the scripts and the structure of the program with him.”
On giving a tribute to his legacy
Victoria, known for projects such as The Pilot Show, The Americas and Attenborough and the Jurassic Sea Monster, recently celebrated David’s legacy through a special documentary centred on one of his landmark works, Life on Earth. Titled Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure, the one-hour special on Sony BBC Earth took viewers behind the scenes of the documentary, which was first broadcast in 1979 and has acquired a classic status over the years. It was released on May 8.
“Even though it was filmed 50 years ago, I found it fascinating… It is truly a pioneering, groundbreaking wildlife series… David has had a huge influence on wildlife filmmaking itself. Most people, it doesn’t really matter what generation they are, have all been influenced by watching David’s programs, and I include myself in that from a young age,” the filmmaker notes.
Victoria continues, “It is extraordinary in terms of how many people he has influenced… He has been the most important influence in raising awareness of conservation around the planet.”
She wraps up by thanking David for showing the world “how precious and how important the planet is”.
“He has shared his passion with the world. And through that, he has not only educated and informed us, but he’s entertained us. He made us fall in love with the natural world, made us care about it, and therefore want to protect it. I want to thank him for that,” she ends.