Film Lens
The Meerkats is a 2008 British wildlife fiction film that anthropomorphises the life of a meerkat named Kolo in the Kalahari Desert. The film follows Kolo as he is forced to leave his home due to territorial disputes among meerkats and his subsequent attempts to reunite with his family while navigating the dangers of the African savannah. The narrative is enriched by the voice of Paul Newman, who recorded the narration shortly before his death, marking this as his final film role.
Produced by BBC Films and directed by James Honeyborne, The Meerkats is notable for being the Natural History Unit's first feature-length wildlife fiction based on original material. The film was shot on location in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa, and features a script written by Alexander McCall Smith. It premiered at the Dinard Film Festival in October 2008 and had a wide release in the UK on August 7, 2009.
Why Watch
- •Meet Kolo, a meerkat navigating the Kalahari Desert.
- •See stunning footage filmed in the Kalahari Desert.
- •Follow the unique storytelling of Paul Newman.
Did You Know
•The film premiered at the Dinard Film Festival in October 2008.
•Kolo, the main meerkat, faces deadly creatures in the savannah.
•Paul Newman recorded the narration shortly before his death in 2008.
•The film was dedicated to Paul Newman, marking his final credit.
Perfect For
Wildlife enthusiastsFans of Paul NewmanNature documentary lovers