"We typically take very new films and run two 'A' films simultaneously," "We booked Lewis & Clark and were looking for another film with strong academic content that would play well with school groups as well as the general public." She booked outside the norm and discovered a strong six-month run with Whales. “People came through the doors. It was basically running head to head with Lewis & Clark, which was also an excellent film, and it performed just as well. I thought it was interesting for an older film.”
“In terms of what we look for to accomplish the mission of the museum, Whales has all the right components. It’s well filmed. The photography is pretty. It has interesting things in it to see. The music and rhythm of it is peaceful. And it has strong academic content,” says Kern.
The balance of facts (a whale heart is the size of a small car), the eerie sound of calls and the mystery of migrations make the film unforgettable.
Whales also sold unexpectedly well to younger audiences in Atlanta. “The big-screen can be overwhelming for them. We usually don’t see strong attendance with first or second graders. But whales sold well, more so than other films.”
- Anita Kern, Director of External Programs at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
