Why should we learn about the life of amphibians?
The cinema of the Center for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw, which together with the Directorate General of State Forests organized the premiere of the film “Amphibians. Pioneers of Life on Land,” provided a decent setting for this valuable production. Already driving to the premiere, in the central part of Warsaw, we managed to leave the bustling city for a moment to drive into the park and immerse ourselves in the silence of nature. And here the historic Ujazdowski Castle of exceptional beauty opened its doors for us.
“Amphibians. Pioneers of Life on Land” is a documentary film prepared by the Forest Film Studio, which has been operating since the late 1980s within the structure of the State Forests – it is part of the State Forest Development and Implementation Center in Bedoń near Łódź.
Like all their films, the one about amphibians is also prepared professionally, with extreme care and seriousness. The success of the Forest Film Studio’s films is proven throughout the years by the numerous awards at our FilmAT Festival in Warsaw, at festivals in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, India or South Africa… The Studio’s activities have also been recognized by the International Tourfilm Academy by awarding, as many as twice, the Tourist Owl statuette for documentaries that should be used for science. Not all productions tried to cover the entire topic, this one took on this difficult task. The filmmakers have offered us an hour with amphibians. Yes, yes, I know what you thought, that it is, after all, impossible to make the viewer so interested in amphibians, after all, they are not charming butterflies… But yet!
The big screen played a role here, which cut us off from the outside world and enabled, even forced us to observe nature in detail. Significant was the voice of Krystyna Czubówna, who blended in with the sounds of nature and skillfully guided us. But the biggest role was played by the professionalism of the film’s authors, who thoughtfully, even sophisticatedly, frame by frame, revealed the secrets of amphibian life. I won’t tell you about amphibians here, because I won’t be able to match the filmmakers with my story anyway, I just want to encourage you to watch this film and make sure that it is properly used in education.
An interesting conversation after the screening with the film’s director Slawomir Skupinski, led by Ms. Anna Choszcz-Sendrowska – a spokeswoman for the State Forests – proved the audience’s interest in both the making of the film itself and in the details of amphibian life and their protection, which were in turn told by Ms. Jolanta Błasiak, head of the Nature Protection Department of the State Forests Directorate General. Questions were also asked by the children. So briefly: we learned that the film was prepared for two years, we understood how much knowledge one must have in order to undertake the production of such a film, we listened with interest to how difficult it was for the filmmakers to produce some scenes….
Finally, do I have any more questions for the filmmakers?
Praising the professionalism, tremendous work and knowledge of the entire team of the film, I decided, I think from you, to ask Slawomir Skupinski – the director of the film, why we should learn about the life of amphibians?
– First of all, because amphibians are a group of animals that are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. This highly disturbing trend is taking place all over the world. Among young people, if they have even come into contact with amphibians, there is a belief that the stagnant situation of their numbers is correct and obvious. But this is not the case… Until three decades ago, amphibians in non-urban areas in Poland were common. Walking through a meadow or even stubble after mowed grain, one could observe hundreds of juvenile frogs. The effect resembled the reaction of grasshoppers, dodging from the feet of a person strolling through the tall grass in summer. Today, encountering a single individual in such places is very lucky.
These creatures arouse extreme feelings in us, repulsion in some, sympathy in others. However, this does not change the fact that they are indispensable in the environment, are an important part of the food pyramid, having a significant impact on the circulation of matter in nature. Being active predators, they themselves also provide food for many larger animals. This is very important. Extinction of amphibians would break the chain of these dependencies. The consequences of this, no doubt tragic, are unpredictable. Amphibians undoubtedly deserve our attention. They are the first of the vertebrates that, having abandoned water, gave rise to higher forms of life on land. We cannot allow them to be lost. Unfortunately, the prognosis is not optimistic. Therefore, let’s hurry to get to know them, perhaps by observing their behavior during the spring mating season, undoubtedly spectacular, or by traversing the precious biotopes that are disappearing with them. We will get to like them at least a little, which will undoubtedly help in their protection, and maybe then our grandchildren will still manage to see a frog, toad or newt. While there is still time, let’s go to forest groves and charming moors to listen to the concerts of these small creatures, creating a unique atmosphere in spring and summer evenings….
Text: Ewa Kotus
Translation: Wojciech Jaworek
Photos: Leśne Studio Filmowe Lasów Państwowych