Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
Description
In a place where land ends and the sea takes over – Scotland’s Shetland Islands – an orphaned otter washes up against Billy and Susan’s isolated jetty. At first utterly dependent on the couple for her survival, the “wee girl” they name Molly quickly captures their hearts, with Billy particularly besotted. This irresistible documentary spins a tale of love and longing in its depiction of the emotional bond between Billy and the playful creature. The melancholic man finds joy, a new connection to the natural world, and purpose in caring for Molly and preparing her for independent life. Billy & Molly delves deep into the workings of the human (and otter) heart, becoming a rumination on what it means to give and receive love, and questioning the limits of how far one can or should go in its pursuit. The answer, like the seas that surround the Shetlands, is eternal and fathomless.
Recommended for ages 9 and up.
Charlie Hamilton James joined the crew of David Attenborough’s Trials of Life (1990) at 16. He went on to work as a wildlife photographer and cinematographer, winning a News and Documentary Emmy for One Life (2011). He made his directing debut with My Halcyon River (2002), an episode of the BBC series Natural World, followed The Wild Wood (2004) and Heligan: Secrets of the Lost Garden (2011). His documentary miniseries I Bought a Rainforest (2014) depicts his adventures in the Amazon after buying land there.
Film Details
Language English
Year 2023
Premiere California
Runtime 78
Country UK
Director Charlie Hamilton James
Executive Producer Keith Scholey, Alastair Fothergill, Janet Han Vissering, Tom McDonald
Producer Jeff Wilson
Editor Sam Rogers
Cinematographer Charlie Hamilton James
Music Erland Cooper
Print Source National Geographic
Closed Captions Closed Captions are confirmed for this program
Audio Description Audio Descriptions are not yet confirmed for this program
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation American Sign Language Interpretation is not currently scheduled for this film
