Wilding: Film Screening and Director Q&A
By Harriet Rogers
David Allen, five-time Emmy-Award winning cinematographer and director and Managing Director of PASSION Planet, captivated the audience at the Wimbledon BookFest screening of Wilding, the heartwarming story of Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell’s quest to restore nature to the Knepp Estate. Wilding, described by Allen as a ‘20-year love story,’ chronicles the transformation of the Estate from a ‘bereft bankrupt farm’, to an ‘ecological biodiversity hotspot’, and provides an insight into both the environmental impact of rewilding and the couple’s dedication.
Allen shared his creative process, explaining how he leaned into the personal stories of Isabella and Charlie who, in turn, trusted his creative vision while he filmed for over two years. He also reflected on the documentary’s success, noting that it has sparked widespread interest in rewilding and ecological restoration and that Knepp has garnered so much attention that it has almost become a ‘theme park’.
Through stunning cinematography, the documentary captures animals reverting to their natural behaviours and creating diverse, interconnected habitats. It depicts the ‘jewels of biodiversity’ that emerged when free-roaming herbivores and other species reclaimed the land, creating a ‘kaleidoscope of complex and dynamic habitats’.
We watched intimate stories of a variety of animals, such as the touching journey of a harvest mouse: from a ‘hostile’ environment, the mouse finds sanctuary at Knepp, where it discovers reeds perfectly suited for nest-building.
The documentary also reveals the challenges of rewilding. Tree spoke about grappling with the gradual revitalisation of depleted soil, worrisome invasive species, regulatory concerns, as well as public backlash. Yet, as the soil rejuvenated, they watched life return: species on the brink of extinction recovering, healthy soil ecosystems, and the rejuvenation of the river. She mused that ‘it’s the stuff of fairytales in a way.’
The central message of Wilding is clear: restoring the natural world is both possible and essential for supporting biodiversity and environmental health. The documentary left the audience energised and inspired, prompting viewers to reconsider the potential of the English countryside and envision an England where nature thrives.
