The Wild Coast: an Exploration of the Guianas (Remastered)

In November 2013 I filmed in the Guianas of South America and completed the documentary The Wild Coast: An Exploration of the Guianas in early 2014. Now, mid -2018, I have decided to break the documentary into three parts for easier viewing on YouTube, and I decided to re-color the film (having improved in color grading) now employing the philosophy of less is more. I also made some small modifications to audio levels, as well as changing the Jim Jones track, and reorienting some music.

Of all my films, I am most proud of this one (other than perhaps Men of La Mancha).

This remaster is also in celebration of La Mancha Media's YouTube Channel, which any day now will hit its first 1 million views and 3000 subscribers. It took 4 years to get 1000 subscribers and in the past 3 months it has put on nearly 2000 more. The channel is in hyper-growth mode presently (following my films in the Pacific), and best of all, is earning solid monthly revenues through the YouTube Partner Program. You can subscribe to our YouTube channel on the button on the right of this page.

The Wild Coast Documentary Film is a physical, historical and philosophical exploration of the Guianas, the three countries that make up the northeast of South America. These unique, non-Spanish speaking countries, are still wild and untamed. The main theme of our film on the Guianas is freedom. Freedom has both been trampled on and clinged-to—at very great costs.

Part I of The Wild Coast explores what happened at Jonestown, where more than 900 people died during a mass suicide/murder, led by US cult leader Jim Jones in 1973, and further provides a magnificent view of Kaieteur Falls, the world's largest single drop waterfall by the volume of water, and an update to Werner Herzog's film "White Diamond".



Part II of The Wild Coast explores the freedom-loving Maroon people of Suriname who were brought as slaves from Africa, but rebelled against their slave owners establishing their own communities in the jungle and fighting back against their former slave masters. This group would later fight against the Marxist dictator president of Suriname, Dési Bouterse during the Suriname Guerilla War. We go the epicenter of the war—Albina and Moiwana—and then visit the tiny village of Melinque.



Part III of The Wild Coast explores the penal system in French Guiana, specifically Henri Charrière and his book Papillon, the greatest story of prison escape ever told. We retrace several of his escapes, including his first to Trinidad and his last to Venezuela, with a final glorious look at Angel Falls in the Canaima National Park.

America's Compact Countries: Marshalls, Micronesia and Palau (Documentary)

In this four part documentary series, entitled America's Compact Countries: Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, we cover the nation signatories to the U.S. Compact of Free Association, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau. Filmed on location in March 2018.

Part I
An overview of the Marshall Islands. Looks at its history of migration and colonization, the nuclear testing, sea rising issues, and a beautiful look at the natural island Arno Atoll.



Part II
An overview of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Looks at its history of migration and colonization, it's overfishing issues and a non-profit trying to help, and the magnificent UNESCO world Heritage Site Nan Madol.



Part III
An overview of Chuuk (or Truk) in the Federated States of Micronesia. Looks at its history, it's sunken treasure from 1944's Operation Hailstone, its current social advantages and disadvantages, and the first class Xavier High School, one of the best schools in the far pacific.



Part IV
An overview of Palau. Looks at its history, origins, its current government, and the island of Peleliu, where we speak to a local survivor of the 1944 battle, and finally a spectacular look at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rock Islands.


La Mancha Media
Copyright © 2018
All Rights Reserved
www.lamanchamedia.org

Contact us for licensing of watermark free footage.

Shot on Panasonic GH5 10 bit
Mavic Pro Drone
Sony FDR X3000 Action Cam
Limited Credits

Limited Credits

Directed, Filmed,
Written & Narrated By
David Whalen

Produced By
Richard Taylor

Produced By
David Whalen

Executive Producer
Thomas Whalen

Executive Producer
Marilucia Garcia Calvacanti

Featuring

Jack Niedenthal
Secretary General
Marshall Islands Red Cross Society

Richard Taylor
Producer

Veronica Wase
Mayor of Likiep Atoll

Cary Evarts
Seal Marine Inc.

Carol Kurtis
Director, Alele Museum

Sealend Laiden
Life Skills Counselor
Waan Aelõñ in Majel

Binton Daniel
Master Canoe Builder
Waan Aelõñ in Majel

Evelyn Simon
Marshall Islands Resort

Capt. Ben Reimers
Sport Fishing Marshall Islands

Benido Edmund
Local Guide

Eugene Joseph
Executive Director
Conservation Society of Pohnpei

Francis Quosol
Manager, PMK Fishmarket

Douglas Moror
Executive Director
Chuuk Visitor Bureau

Alpha Farata
Local Guide

Fr. Thomas Benz
Superior
Jesuit Community of Micronesia

Maria Moreno
Xavier H.S. Teacher

Raymond Ngodrii Tiakl
Local Guide

Swing Aguon
Owner, Swings Palau Tours

Hisako Sowad
Lifetime Peleliu Resident

Special Thanks

Colette Reimers
Robert Reimers Enterprises

Alson J. Kelen
Director, Waan Aelõñ in Majel
Canoes of the Marshall Islands

Karen Earnshaw
The Marshall Islands Journal

Allois Malfitani
Pohnpei Surf Club

Ringlin Ringlin
House of the Chief
Nan Madol

Kai
Crab Fisherman
Nan Madol

Rich Sulatra
Blue Lagoon Dive Shop

Rev. Dennis M. Baker, S.J.
President, Xavier H.S.

Mr. Martin K. Carl
Principal, Xavier H.S.

Students at Xavier H.S.

John Chonfan
WWII Guide Chuuk

Neil Mellen
President
Habele Outer Island Education Fund

Douglas Mack
Author

Karen Taylor

Music

Mahler - Symphony No. 5
Adagietto (4th Movement)
By Wilfred Symphony Orchestra
Shutterstock Music Canada ULC

Land of Wonders
By Remember the Future
Shutterstock Music Canada ULC

Haze of Strings
By Tiny Music
Shutterstock Music Canada ULC

On Top of Yosemite
By Tiny Music
Shutterstock Music Canada ULC

Compact Free Association: Marshalls, FSM, Palau Documentary

La Mancha Media will be filming with David Whalen the Director and Richard Taylor, a new documentary on the pacific islands nations that encompass the Compact Free Association with the USA: the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau. These are not states or territories but have close ties with the USA. We are filming in Majuro, Weno, Truuk, Pohnpei and other atolls and cities in March 2018. Please contact us if you can assist with contacts and such.