Watch Emptying the Skies

"Emptying the Skies" is a poignant and eye-opening film about the illegal trapping and hunting of migratory birds in Europe, particularly in countries like Cyprus, Malta, and Italy. It delves deeply into the motivations, traditions, and conflicts of bird hunters and conservationists, and highlights the urgent need to protect and preserve the treasured avian species that travel thousands of miles each year.

The movie follows the story of three bird conservationists - Peter Berthold, Sergio Coen Tanugi, and David Conlin - who embark on a daring and dangerous mission to expose the illegal bird hunting practices that have been happening for decades. They travel to the Mediterranean coastlines to document the slaughtering of songbirds, such as warblers, robins, blackcaps, and thrushes, which are caught in mist nets or glue traps and sold at high prices in black markets or restaurants.

The film shows the struggles and dilemmas faced by the conservationists, who face hostile and violent hunters, corrupt officials, and indifferent public opinion. At the same time, the film explores the hunters' perspective, as they defend their cultural heritage, livelihoods, and rights to hunt, while often denying the negative impact of their actions on biodiversity and ecosystems.

One of the main characters, Peter Berthold, a renowned bird researcher from Germany, shares his knowledge and passion for birds, explaining how they navigate, communicate, and adapt to changing environments. He also reveals the alarming decline of bird populations due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, and how the illegal hunting aggravates the situation, causing irreparable damage to the ecosystems and threatening many species with extinction.

Sergio Coen Tanugi, an Italian journalist, joins the team and adds another perspective, highlighting the cultural differences and historical backgrounds of the bird hunting traditions. He interviews hunters, politicians, and activists to shed light on the complex web of interests and conflicts that surround the issue. He also confronts the hunters with the evidence of their cruelty, and challenges them to rethink their attitudes towards birds and conservation.

David Conlin, an American lawyer and activist, provides the legal framework for the mission, explaining the EU laws that protect migratory birds and the obligations of member states to enforce them. He works behind the scenes to gather evidence and confront the authorities with their negligence or complicity. He also coordinates with local NGOs and volunteers to rescue and rehabilitate the trapped birds, and release them back to the wild.

The film's cinematography is impressive, capturing the beauty and diversity of the bird species, as well as the brutality and ugliness of the hunting scenes. The sound design is equally striking, with the songs and calls of the birds contrasting with the gunshots and screams of the dying ones. The music score, composed by Roger Goula, adds an emotional dimension to the film, conveying the sense of urgency and importance of the conservation message.

"Emptying the Skies" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that raises awareness about one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. It exposes the hidden reality of an illegal and destructive industry that thrives on the exploitation of nature and human greed. It also celebrates the courage and dedication of those who fight against the odds to protect and preserve the natural heritage that belongs to all of us.

Emptying the Skies is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.