Channel 4 commissions ground-breaking documentary, Born to be Free

Channel 4 News and Current Affairs Commissioning Editor Siobhan Sinnerton has commissioned a ground-breaking new documentary for All 4, Born to be Free from the Oscar nominated Roast Beef Productions. A perilous journey into the dark heart of the world’s most secretive business Born to be Free is a disturbing and revelatory investigative film about the global trade in wild sea mammals

Born to be Free will receive its world premiere at Sheffield Documentary Festival on 13th June, and then be made available as an All4 Original Documentary later in the year.

Following on from the huge public interest in films such as Blackfish, Born to be Free delves deeper into the world of sea mammals - with unprecedented access to those involved at the highest levels in the capture, transportation and sale of wild dolphins, walruses, and in particular beluga whales.

We will see, for the very first time, the shocking conditions to which these animals are subjected on a journey that takes us to the most remote corners of Russia as well as China and the USA.

This film has been made by a team of three Russian women; Gayane Petrosyan (director), Tatian Beley and Julia Petrik, all of whom are free-divers who love to swim with dolphins and whales. Gaya is a journalist and filmmaker, Tanya a former Russian pop star and environmental activist and Julia is one of Russia’s most respected free divers famous for swimming with belugas.

 Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Siobhan says, "As soon as I saw this never-before-seen footage of the capture and transportation of these belugas I knew we had something unique on our hands. It is genuinely shocking. But this is also a beautifully-told film that shows the intrepid journey of discovery made by three Russian women determined to find out the truth about the animals they have grown to love. We are delighted Roast Beef chose to bring this incredible access to Channel 4."

The film's producer Mike Lerner says ‘Born To Be Free’ is the result of 3 years fearless journalism by three brave, free-diving filmmakers. They have brought to light the plight of these poor sea creatures who are trapped for our entertainment and it will hopefully change forever our attitude towards the public display of these magnificent animals’.