Exploring the Legacy of Jaws at 50

National Geographic’s SHARKFEST wouldn’t exist without the film that changed cinema – and our relationship with sharks – forever: “Jaws.” This year, in tribute to the movie that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean’s most misunderstood predator, National Geographic goes behind the scenes of the legendary blockbuster with JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau (“Faye,” “Music by John Williams”), the 90-minute documentary takes viewers on the ultimate deep dive, from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to the cinematic phenomenon that is “Jaws” and how the film continues to ripple through pop culture, cinema and shark conservation to this day. You may think you know the full story of “Jaws” – but not until now.

JAWS @ 50 hails from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is this year’s only authorized documentary on the making of “Jaws,” with the award-winning director himself diving back into the story that launched his career and earned him final cut on the film, a creative control he has maintained for the last 50 years.

The documentary is currently on National Geographic (DStv 181 and StarTimes 220) as well as National Geographic Wild (DStv 182 and StarTimes 221) and will also be available on Disney+ in South Africa.

View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrBN9zcQAGw

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The Hundred-Foot Journey – Film Review

hundred-foot-journey-quad copy

I love movies where food is the protagonist – think of Chocolat, Like Water for Chocolate, Babette’s Feast, Julie and Julia, Love’s Kitchen and the new film called Chef. But this post is about a film directed by Swede Lasse Hallström and produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, called The Hundred-Foot Journey.  I was invited to the premiere recently, and when I watched the trailer, I knew I was going to love it. Set in the south of France, with flavours of Bollywood, the clash in cultures results in a melting pot of emotions, and of course, love.

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