TORONTO, March 1, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - THE NATURE OF THINGS WITH DAVID SUZUKI has been a beloved staple of CBC-TV's documentary programming since 1961, and this month the network is celebrating both the 50th anniversary of the program and the 75th birthday of Dr. David Suzuki himself.
"David Suzuki is, quite simply, a symbol of Canada. His dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, his passion for our environment, and his gentle manner combined with a deep determination embody so much of what this country is all about," said Kirstine Stewart, CBC's executive vice president of English Services, who today announced a full month of special programs and activities to celebrate Suzuki and the program with which he has become synonymous.
"I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to David—he has enlightened, educated and entertained Canadians, giving them a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural wonders with which we have been blessed, and the forces at play around them. He has set a standard for excellence that will continue to be a model for broadcasters for generations to come."
"It's core to the CBC's mission that we develop and nurture Canadian content and Canadian stars—and there is no better example than THE NATURE OF THINGS and David Suzuki," added Stewart. "He is a true Canadian and CBC icon. And he embodies CBC's dual commitment to Canadian talent and groundbreaking Canadian programming."
Stewart is hosting a special celebration in Vancouver this evening in Suzuki's honour.
Over the past 50 years, THE NATURE OF THINGS has been one of the first mainstream programs to present scientific findings on climate change, AIDS, nuclear power and countless other subjects.
To mark the twin milestones of the 50th anniversary of THE NATURE OF THINGS and Dr. Suzuki's 75th birthday, two very special broadcasts are scheduled:
On Sunday, March 13, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), CBC-TV presents the world broadcast premiere of Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie. In it, the Canadian scientist, educator, broadcaster and activist delivers a 'last lecture'—what he describes as "a distillation of my life and thoughts, my legacy, what I want to say before I die." The film interweaves the lecture with scenes from the places and events in Suzuki's life—creating a biography of ideas—forged by the major social, scientific and cultural events of the past 70 years.
On Thursday, March 24, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), Canada's longest running documentary series THE NATURE OF THINGS celebrates 50 years in a special retrospective, 50 Years of The Nature of Things. The world-renowned series' rich legacy will be revealed in each act through original graphics, excerpts, new interviews and David Suzuki's narration and on-camera commentary. Suzuki will take viewers on an incredible journey through our rich legacy of archives—from the early days in the studio, to the first colour broadcast on the CBC and from pole to pole in HD. It is a half-century of stunning, revealing and moving footage.
Other upcoming broadcast highlights include:
Director James Cameron's blockbuster film Avatar chronicled the struggle of an alien tribe on the distant planet of Pandora fighting human invaders bent on mining their forest home. On Thursday, March 3, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), THE NATURE OF THINGS and David Suzuki journey to Peru in The Real Avatar and document how domestic and international resource companies are threatening the habitats and way of life for Peruvian native peoples, including the "uncontacted" tribes recently featured in news reports around the world.
And on Thursday, March 17, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), THE NATURE OF THINGS premieres Save My Lake, a documentary that plunges into the scientific and environmental factors behind the shocking deterioration of spectacular Lake Winnipeg over the past 35 years.
THE NATURE OF THINGS airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV; Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET and Sundays at 6 p.m. ET on CBC News Network. For complete program information, please visit www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/.
About CBC/Radio-Canada CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages. For more information, visit www.cbc.ca.
