A visually stunning celebration of what makes Texas unique, its diverse landscapes and remarkable wildlife behavior that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey narrates this excellent documentary highlighting the challenges and opportunities regarding the abundant and varied wildlife in – and often unique to – Texas. Written and directed by Ben Masters, he builds upon previous work highlighting issues facing the state. Until this most recent film, the director was perhaps best-known for “The River and the Wall,” a discerning exploration of the U.S.-Mexico border and the impact of politics not only on the people and affected communities but also on the historical migration patterns of a plethora of species – much to their detriment. By the end of “The River and the Wall,” the utter preposterousness of a man-made barrier along the ecologically sensitive sections of the Rio Grande becomes clear.
Texas’ largest trading partner by far is Mexico – its economic activity easily dwarfs all of the other states in the U.S. With the continued repatriation of supply chains due to ongoing overseas disruptions, the volume of commerce between Texas and Mexico will increase significantly in the coming years. So not only for social and environmental reasons but also economic ones, walling off access between Mexico and the U.S. makes little sense from a long-term policy perspective. Greater integration on various levels between the U.S. and Mexico is inevitable.
In the opening pages of James Michener’s “Texas,” published in 1985, the author notes that water – not oil – is the state’s lifeblood. This important theme pervades “Deep in the Heart” for good reason. Were it not for the abundance of the natural aquifers – such as the Ogallala, Edwards, and Carrizo-Wilcox and its ample river channels – the rich variety of natural life in Texas could not exist in its present forms. Indeed, McConaughey intones that Texas is a land sculpted by water.
Virtually all state regions are examined – from the High Plains in the panhandle to the piney woods of East Texas to Big Bend National Park to the coral reefs far into the Gulf of Mexico. Masters notes that some types of wildlife have fared better than others. For example, Buffalo herds and white-tailed deer have overcome decades of indiscriminate hunting and overharvesting. On the other hand, ocelot and mountain lion populations remain in peril due to enormous losses of habitat and the lack of protections that other states provide. Approximately 95% of all lands in Texas are privately-owned. As such, continued headway in maintaining and re-establishing the natural beauty and biodiversity of the state rests heavily on their shoulders.
During the course of the narration, McConaughey notes that the combination of regulation and the advocacy of conservation-minded landowners in Texas have been primarily responsible for the progress made in restoring the watersheds and the wide variety of creatures that inhabit them. However, much more needs to be done, and this film should help move the markers forward even further. Masters writes that although some large landowners have been reluctant to open their acreage for continued research, the reality is that both ranching and wildlife preservation can coexist in harmony.
Breathtaking images wash over the screen from beginning to end. A total of ten cinematographers are listed in the credits, and the emphasis on this aspect of the production is nothing less than exquisite, complemented by the magnificent sound design of Lyman Hardy. The use of relatively new camera techniques and technology paints a never-before-seen picture of the wide range of flora and fauna lavishing the state’s landscape.
Produced by Katy Baldock and Jay Kleberg at Fin and Fur Films, “Deep in the Heart” represents a thoughtful journey across Texas, much of which will undoubtedly surprise and inform many viewers. At once exhilarating, fascinating, moving, and insightful, “Deep in the Heart” sounds a clarion call for Texans to actively engage in preserving and restoring its rich natural wonders for current and future generations.
In Texas Theaters, Friday, June 3rd
