Becoming Cousteau

Last updated
Becoming Cousteau
Becoming Cousteau poster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Liz Garbus
Written by
  • Pax Wasserman
  • Mark Monroe
Produced by
Edited byPax Wasserman
Music by
  • Danny Bensi
  • Saunder Jurriaans
Production
companies
Distributed by Picturehouse
Release dates
  • September 2, 2021 (2021-09-02)(Telluride)
  • October 22, 2021 (2021-10-22)(United States)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
Languages
  • English
  • French
Box office$264,530 [1] [2]

Becoming Cousteau is a 2021 American documentary film directed and produced by Liz Garbus. It follows the life and career of Jacques Cousteau.

Contents

It premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021, and was released on October 22, 2021, by Picturehouse.

Synopsis

The film follows the life and career of Jacques Cousteau, who tried to warn the world for decades about environmental issues.

Production

In 2015, National Geographic Documentary Films approached Liz Garbus about directing a documentary film revolving around Jacques Cousteau, and she agreed. [3] Over the course of five years, Garbus worked with The Cousteau Society to get access to unseen footage. [4]

In May 2019, it was announced Garbus would direct a documentary film revolving around Cousteau, with Cousteau Society Archives producing and with National Geographic Documentary Films set to produce. [5]

Release

It had its world premiere at the 48th Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021. [6] [7] It had its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2021. [8] It was released on October 22, 2021, by Picturehouse. [9]

Reception

Critical reception

Becoming Costeau holds a 98% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 60 reviews, with a weighted average of 7.50/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "As visually thrilling as it is edifying, Becoming Cousteau pays fitting tribute to a pioneering explorer and environmental advocate." [10] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 74 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [11]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
BFI London Film Festival October 17, 2021Grierson AwardBecoming CousteauWon [12]
British Academy Film Awards March 13, 2022 Best Documentary Liz Garbus and Dan Cogan Nominated [13]
Cinema Audio Society Awards March 19, 2022 Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Motion Picture – Documentary Phil McGowan, Tony VolanteNominated [14]
Cinema Eye Honors March 1, 2022 Audience Choice PrizeLiz GarbusNominated [15]
Outstanding Graphic Design/AnimationDaniel RutledgeNominated
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards November 14, 2021 Best Documentary Feature Becoming CousteauNominated [16] [17]
Best Director Liz GarbusNominated
Best Narration Vincent Cassel, Mark Monroe and Pax WassermannNominated
Best Archival DocumentaryBecoming CousteauNominated
Best Science/Nature DocumentaryBecoming CousteauWon
Golden Trailer Awards October 6, 2022Best DocumentaryBecoming CousteauNominated [18] [19]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 17, 2021 Best Original Score – Documentary Film Daniel Bensi and Saunder JurriaansNominated [20]
Writers Guild of America Awards March 20, 2022 Best Documentary Screenplay Mark Monroe and Pax WassermanNominated [21]

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References

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  4. Welk, Brian (September 16, 2021). "'Becoming Cousteau' Director Explains How Explorer Went From Exploiting Nature to Protecting It (Video)". The Wrap . Retrieved September 23, 2021.
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