The Messenger

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Rotten Tomatoes® Score
83% 61%

In Theaters: November 13, 2009 (limited)

November 13, 2009 (limited)

November 20, 2009 (limited)

R | 1h 30m | Documentary, Drama, Horror

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This documentary chronicles the struggle of songbirds around the world as they try to survive the turbulent environmental conditions brought about by humans.

Similar to the disappearance of the honeybee, the film demonstrates that the global demise of songbirds signals an uncertain shift in an already fragile ecosystem and explores our deep-seated connection to birds, while warning that the uncertain fate of songbirds might mirror our own.

Moving from the northern reaches of Canada’s Boreal Forest to the vast prairies of Saskatchewan, the wetlands of Turkey’s Mount Ararat, and to the busy streets of urban Toronto, scientists, activists and bird enthusiasts bring us face-to-face with the beauty of these airborne music-makers and with the human-made perils they face: the destruction of forests, lethal architecture, predatory pets, human gourmets, industrial agriculture methods and ongoing pesticide use. All of which are causing the disappearance of songbirds at a disquieting pace. At the same time, the film mixes its message with hopeful notes and unique glances into the influence of songbirds on our own expressions of the soul.