Geographical Society of Philadelphia Announces 2007-2007 Travelogue Film Series

PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 29, 2007)—The editorial excerpt above is precisely the motivation behind the Geographical Society of Philadelphia’s Travelogue Film series. In their 116-year history, the Society has enlightened Philadelphians to the entire “new and improved” (Philadelphia Inquirer) Seven Wonders of the World. In their ’07-‘08 series, screened at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Society introduces viewers to the sites and sounds of Bhutan; Ireland; the Orient; the Silk Road; Myanmar and Angkor Wat; Indonesia; and Guatemala and Belize. Films are on Wednesdays, September 26, October 24, November 7, 2007 and January 16, February 13, March 26, and April 16, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.geographicalsociety.org.

September 26: Bhutan: The Cloud Kingdom
The Geographical Society's 2007-2008 film season opens with a breathtaking trip into the last Shangri-la—the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. There, Buddhism permeates every facet of Bhutanese life. Mountain forests and tropical jungles protect some of the world's most spectacular creatures: black-necked cranes, golden langurs, fierce tigers, and blue sheep. Bright prayer flags, intricate shrines, and giant monastery fortresses define the landscape, and red-robed monks walk through it everywhere. Filmmaker and photographer Tom Sterling produces specials for the Canadian Broadcasting Company and PBS. He narrates in person.

October 24: Inside Ireland
Encounter scenic diversity and adventure at every turn—explore Ireland. On the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, visit prehistoric stone structures; ancient monasteries; quaint, old villages; sharp seaside cliffs; and Atlantic ports. Sheep dogs, lively step dancers, a Flying Boat Museum, stud farms, Dublin's National Botanical Gardens, and the High Celtic Cross of Scriptures at the monastery of Clonmacnoise all conjure the magic that is Ireland. Filmmaker Clint Denn narrates in person. On the other side of the camera lens, he has worked in Hollywood movies as an actor, double, and aquatic stunt coordinator.

November 7: Cruising the Orient on the QE2
Board the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 for a forty-day cruise from Sydney, Australia through the most exotic ports of the Orient. See beautiful Bali, the wealthy island-nation of Brunei, Manila and the Philippines. Then, sail to Hong Kong and travel overland to Xian and Beijing. Other ports of call include Tokyo, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. See the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Great Wall of China, Balinese dancers, and Thai crocodile wrestlers. Behind-the-scenes visits to the QE2’s bridge, galleys, and engine control room reveal some of the intricacies of operating this great ocean liner. From bases in Los Angeles and New York, Doug Jones’s travels have taken him around the world and into seventy nations on six continents to produce eighteen feature-length travel films. He narrates in person.

January 16: Silk Road Odyssey: From Beijing to the Black Sea
Trace the Silk Road across Asia on the paths of centuries of merchants who led their treasure-laden camels from one sun-drenched outpost to the next. Cross China to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in Central Asia, and to Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia beyond the Caspian Sea. History, natural beauty, and welcoming people make this experience incredible. Filmmakers Mary Lee and Sid Nolan narrate in person. In addition to travelogues, they produce educational documentaries and specialty films. Between them, they hold advanced degrees in history, geography, anthropology, journalism, and recreational resource development.

February 13: Road to Mandalay: Myanmar and Angkor Wat
Myanmar (formerly Burma) remains one of the most mysterious destinations on the planet—a land of breathtaking beauty and charm, only recently emerging into the modern world. Spectacular monuments, golden pagodas, and ancient cities reveal a vibrant culture. Join us “on the road to Mandalay,” the nation's principal cultural and economic city, with a side trip to Cambodia’s famed World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat. Filmmaker Buddy Hatton narrates in person. From his second home in Thailand, Hatton has recently produced extraordinary films about Malaysia, China, and Vietnam.

March 26: Volcanic Safari: Indonesia
Share a close-up experience as Anak Krakatoa erupts in a film from the world’s most volcanic region, Indonesia’s “ring of fire.” Anak, which means “son of”, has grown at an alarming 200 feet a year since 1928, when it appeared from the area where the first Krakatoa blasted with a deafening eruption in 1883 ... the loudest “bang” in recorded history. On this land and sea safari, discover the lively expressions of art and music and the varied cultural traditions of people who live with the constant threat of erupting volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. The diversity of Indonesia’s 13,000 islands comes to life in the fiery culture of Bali and Java, the world’s most densely populated island where 120 million people live with over 100 volcanoes. Filmmaker Grant Foster narrates in person. A native New Zealander and expert on this part of the world, Foster has long wanted to make this volcanic safari.

April 16: World of the Maya: Guatemala and Belize
Journey to Belize and Guatemala to see remains of the great Classical Maya civilization and the natural beauty of Central America. New excavations and old rituals reveal the ruined cities of Caracol and Lamanai and the tiny, living villages of the Yucatan which are home to much of the Maya culture of today. The rich culture of the Chichicastenango market, colonial Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and ancient Tikal complement the underwater splendor of the barrier reef, and the world’s only jaguar preserve. Filmmaker Sandy Mortimer narrates in person. She began her career as an on-air news reporter for CBS, and a writer and producer for television and radio, before devoting full time to travel films.

Tickets are $12, or $6 for students, and available by mail, telephone, or online at www.geographicalsociety.org. Tickets are also sold at the door 45 minutes prior to each performance. For more information, please call 610-649-5220.

• Films are 80 minutes plus intermission
• Digital projection
• Wheelchair accessible
• Assisted listening devices available

Founded in 1891, The Geographical Society of Philadelphia focuses on exploration, travel, adventure, and the environment. Each season, the Society presents distinguished Connoisseur Program speakers and a series of seven Travelogue Film programs (full-length films narrated in person by international producers) at the Academy of Natural Sciences Auditorium for members and the public. An Annual Dinner, Explorers’ Dinner, and special Magellan Circle member events are offered. Grants for polar exploration and research continue a long tradition. For further background and history on the Society, visit www.georgraphicalsociety.org.