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How they shot Winged Migration is almost more fascinating than the film itself. The filmmakers rigged camera equipment to ultralight planes and imprinted with hatching birds of various species to get as close to their subjects as possible. The resulting cinematography is breathtaking, especially if you love birds. The film focuses solely on the migratory patterns of birds all around the world, so the shots of birds flying — while mesmerizing for a while — can get old. The film also shows a few points of danger in the birds’ everyday lives, including several birds shot out of the sky by hunters, one who gets stuck in factory sludge, and one with a broken wing who gets devoured by crabs. As a bird lover who doesn’t want to see these things, I was at least thrilled with the part where a captured blue parrot is wise enough to escape a poacher’s cage. The filmmakers don’t linger too long on any of the tragedies, thankfully. Overall, more of a technical marvel than a revealing educational piece — but gorgeous to look at.

Oscar Nomination: Best Documentary Feature