DOCUMENTARY FOLLOWS SCIENTIST AND GRAMMY® NOMINATED DJ JAYDA G, FEATURING MUSIC FROM WU-TANG CLAN’S RZA
Trailer: https://youtu.be/v6MaDvzGnfs
NEW YORK, NY – (March 20, 2024) – CNN Films embarks on an international adventure to find nature-based solutions for a warming planet in Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power from MakeWaves and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. Starring Grammy® nominated DJ and marine toxicologist Jayda G and featuring the music of Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, the immersive documentary combines the universal languages of music and science into a vibrant call to action to protect the planet. Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power premieres Sunday, April 21 at 9pm ET/PT on CNN.
Directed by Emmy® and BAFTA-winning director Nicolas Brown, Blue Carbon follows the global journey of Jayda G as she investigates a powerful new ally in the battle to slow climate change: blue carbon ecosystems. These ecosystems soak up copious amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help bolster food security, all while protecting coastal communities from rising seas and powerful storms. Across six countries and five continents, Jayda G’s quest to uncover blue carbon’s potential takes her from the mangroves of Vietnam and Senegal to the salt marshes of France, the seagrass meadows of Florida, and beyond.
Featuring an innovative soundtrack from legendary rapper and composer RZA and showcasing music from Brazilian musical icon Seu Jorge, the film lies at the intersection of Jayda G’s twin passions for music and marine life as she charts her own course to inspire the next generation of conservationists.
“CNN Originals has always valued key voices and creative storytelling about the climate crisis, and Jayda G’s journey in Blue Carbon is a perfect example,” said Amy Entelis, Executive Vice President of Talent, CNN Originals, and Creative Development for CNN Worldwide. “This CNN Film spans continents, languages and cultures but connects viewers through one collective call to protect our warming planet.”
“Blue carbon has such potential to help us combat climate change, as long as we listen to and learn from the stories of the people working to protect blue carbon ecosystems,” said Jayda G. “It’s made me hopeful about our future and has helped me feel more connected with mother nature. I hope that when people watch this film, they feel the same way.”
“Blue carbon is an incredibly effective tool we can use to mitigate climate change, and at virtually no cost,” said director Nicolas Brown. “We hope this story reaches global audiences with a hopeful message about the power of blue carbon.”
“If strengthening blue carbon ecosystems means we can save species, protect communities and turn down the Earth’s thermostat, then what are we waiting for?” asked executive producer and MAKE WAVES co-founder Sarah Macdonald. “Jayda G’s quest, told with an exhilarating mix of music and science, strives to be the catalyst for a global movement.”
“Coastal ecosystems protect us from hurricanes, house and nourish incredibly diverse species, and absorb large amounts of carbon,” said biologist and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios executive producer Dr. Sean B. Carroll. “We hope this film opens the eyes and ears of audiences worldwide with the message of why it is important to protect these vital ecosystems.”
Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power is a Make Waves and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios production directed by Emmy and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Nicolas Brown (The Serengeti Rules). Executive producers are Sarah Macdonald, David Guy Elisco and Sean B. Carroll, alongside Philippe de Bourbon, Claude Grunitzky, Alexander Asen, Sian Kevil, Don Mullan, M Sanjayan and Jill Kauffman Johnson. Executive producers for CNN Films are Amy Entelis and Alexandra Hannibal. The film is supported by Conservation International, with additional funding from The Erol Foundation and Ocean Borne, alongside European broadcasters, NDR (Germany) and Canal+ (France).
Blue Carbon will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN OTT and mobile apps on Sunday, April 21. The film will be available on demand beginning Monday, April 22 to pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN apps, and Cable Operator Platforms.
