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08/06/2016

Channel 4 Welcomes New Documentary

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A new documentary, Born To Be Free, has been commissioned by Channel 4.

The documentary will premiere at Sheffield Documentary Festival on 13 June, and will be made available as an All4 Original Documentary later this year.

Born To Be Free will provide an honest, and disturbing look, about the global trade in wild sea mammals, with unprecedented access to those involved at the highest levels in the capture, transportation and sale of wild dolphins, walruses, and beluga whales. Viewers will see the conditions to which these animals are subjected on a journey that takes us to the most remote corners of Russia, China and the USA.

This film has been made by a team of three Russian women; Gayane Petrosyan (director), Tatian Beley and Julia Petrik. All three are free-divers who love to swim with dolphins and whales. Gaya is a journalist and filmmaker, Tanya a former Russian pop star and environmental activist and Julia is one of Russia's most respected free divers famous for swimming with belugas.

Born To Be Free has been commissioned by Channel 4 News and Current Affairs Commissioning Editor Siobhan Sinnerton, from the Oscar-nominated Roast Beef Productions.

Siobhan Sinnerton said: "As soon as I saw this never-before-seen footage of the capture and transportation of these belugas I knew we had something unique on our hands. It is genuinely shocking. But this is also a beautifully-told film that shows the intrepid journey of discovery made by three Russian women determined to find out the truth about the animals they have grown to love. We are delighted Roast Beef chose to bring this incredible access to Channel 4."

Mike Lerner, producer of the film, said: "'Born To Be Free' is the result of three years fearless journalism by three brave, free-diving filmmakers. They have brought to light the plight of these poor sea creatures who are trapped for our entertainment and it will hopefully change forever our attitude towards the public display of these magnificent animals."

www.channel4.com

(JP/MH)
VMI.TV Ltd

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