Robin Kewell Film Night: Two Treasured Islands

The fourth film in our Robin Kewell series of short films and talks will be screened on the Top Floor of Lopdell House and features Two Treasured Islands; Aldabra and Cocos.

Aldabra is situated north of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and is home to giant tortoises, the flightless rail, mangrove forests, roaring tides and is now a World Heritage Site. Aldabra is often described as a Galapagos of the east but very few people have ever set foot on the island, even fewer have explored its underwater world. Diving here is different, each day the tides sweep in and out of the deep channels bringing with them a wealth of marine life riding on the current at speeds of 10 knots, which is the lifeblood of the enormous lagoon. Commissioned by the Seychelles Islands Foundation this film takes us on a journey to the largest raised coral atoll in the world. Music by Bob Brimley and Narration by the BBC Natural History Unit’s Barry Paine.

Cocos Island is situated 500 km off the coast of Costa Rica and is legendary for its natural and man-made treasures. Now a World Heritage Site and wetland of international importance, Cocos is home to over 80 species of birds and many other endemic animals and plants. There is also abundant marine life in the waters surrounding the island, which boasts one of the largest shark populations in the world.

Jacques Cousteau deemed it "the most beautiful island in the world", Michael Crichton wrote "Jurassic Park" with it in mind and Robert Louis Stevenson is said to have based his classic "Treasure Island" on Cocos. Pirates used this small island to hide their ‘loot’ - the treasure from one haul alone is estimated to be worth over 160 million US dollars, but so far nobody has ever found the treasure…or if they have they have kept it very quiet! Many have lost their lives in the shark-infested waters searching for it. This presentation will include excerpts from a rare filmed interview with someone who knows more about the treasure of Cocos Island than any other person.

Doors open at 7.00pm. Top Floor of Lopdell House.

Bookings are essential via phone (09) 817 8087 or call into the gallery shop. You must pay in advance to secure your seat.

Event listed by LopdellHouseGallery

View their other events or contact promoter