Woman looking up and touching tree leaves.

Call of the Forest

The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees
Worldwildlife Fund - Finalist
Jackson Wild
Official Selection
World Wildlife Day Film Showcase: Forests
Official Selection
One Earth Film Festival
Rob Stewart Award Nomination - Best Science or Nature Documentary Program or Series
Canadian Screen Awards
Official Selection
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Best Science Television and Best Conservation Film Nomination
Pariscience Science Film Festival
Official Selection
Life Sciences Film Festival
Nature Award Nomination
Cinema Verde Film Festival

Diana Beresford-Kroeger and I share a dream. We want people to see the forest and the trees, and the wildlife abounding in wild environments, in fine detail.

E.O. Wilson

Harvard Entomologist, Conservationist and Father of Modern Environmentalism

Poetic…passionate…Call of the Forest carries its important message with grace.

Brad Wheeler

Film Reviewer, The Globe and Mail

Call of the Forest is magnificent! This is a very important film and I hope that all of the politicians in Ottawa receive a copy of it – and the forest ministries around the world.

David Suzuki

Scientist, Author and Broadcaster

A film of rare significance. It draws the viewer into the green world that sustains life...and an introduction to the work of Diana Beresford-Kroeger, one of the...most important people on the planet.

Annie Proulx

Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author of “The Shipping News” and “Brokeback Mountain.”

This wonderful film reminds us of the profound importance of our ancient forests and native woodlands, not only in sustaining life on our shared planet but also in inspiring and enriching our culture.

President Michael D. Higgins

Uachtarán na hÉireann, President of Ireland

The Story

Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees is a beautiful and timeless film by Jeff McKay featuring visionary scientist, conservationist and author, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, on her journey to the most beautiful forests of the northern hemisphere. From the sacred sugi and cedar forests of Japan, the ancient Raheen Wood of Ireland, the walnut and redwood trees of America, to the great boreal forest of Canada, Diana tells us the amazing stories behind the history and legacy of these ancient forests while also explaining the science of trees and the irreplaceable roles they play in protecting and feeding the planet

Along the way Diana meets with some of the world’s foremost experts in reforestation. Dr. Akira Miyawaki, a worldwide specialist in the restoration of natural forest systems on degraded land; Prof. Katsuhiko Matsunaga, marine chemist, Hokkaido University; Jessica Hutchinson, ecologist, Executive Director of the Central Westcoast Forest Society; Andrew St. Ledger, co-founder of the Irish Woodland League; Dr. Bill Libby, Professor Emeritus of Forest Genetics; Sophia Rabliauskas, spokesperson for Pimachiowin Aki, a UNESCO World Heritage site; Dr. Silke Lanniger Office of Forestry, Wolfach, Germany and Meinrad Joos, a leader in forest management and president of Regierungspräsidium in Germany.

This compelling story sounds the alarm by calling for immediate action on a global scale, but at its heart it is a story of triumph, offering a simple, achievable strategy for each of us to combat climate change by replanting forests in our own neighbourhoods, yards and parks.

Co-produced with Edgeland Films.

Directed by:

Distribution & Educational Sales

Not available for distribution.

Production Format: 

For distribution and sales information, please contact Merit Entertainment Inc.

Educational Sales:

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For library sales, please visit our educational DVD shop.

Community Screenings:

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Duration(s):

Broadcast Version - 52 min

DVD / Feature Length Version - 85 min

Press Materials

Here you will find the Call of the Forest press kit.

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Take Action

Rebuilding the global forest is the cheapest and best defense against climate change. Here are a number of steps you can take to make a difference!

Plant a Tree

We need to act now! By replanting our global forest we can turn around climate change. Pledge to plant one native tree each year for six years to help save our planet.

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About The Team

Photo of director
Producer, Writer, Director & Editor
Jeff McKay

My first ‘encounter’ with Diana Beresford-Kroeger was a radio interview I happened upon while running errands one morning. I had never heard anyone talk about trees the way she did. She shone a light on each value of a tree. And as it turned out – for more than three years, I worked to create the film, ‘Call Of The Forest – The Forgotten Wisdom Of Trees’. After making many films since 1985, the experience of working with Diana on this film has been a truly gratifying one and that I’ve really cherished. I wish to personally thank everyone who participated in the making of Call Of The Forest and to my production partner Merit Jensen-Carr who has been steadfast in her support. Our production has been so fortunate to find like-minded creative collaborators and broadcasters – Filmmaking can be an exhausting and often very challenging process and we hope you may have an opportunity to experience the film, from all of us who have given so much of ourselves to its creation.

WRITTEN BY DIANA BERESFORD-KROEGER & JEFF MCKAY

DIRECTOR, CAMERA & EDITOR JEFF MCKAY

NARRATOR GORDON PINSENT

ORIGINAL MUSIC CESAR REQUENA RAMOS

ADDITIONAL MUSIC HAROLD BUDD

LOCATION SOUND RECORDIST NORM DUGAS

SOUND EDITOR ALAN GELDART

PRODUCED BY MERIT JENSEN CARR & JEFF MCKAY

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MERIT JENSEN CARR

Released:
2016