Overview

• Michel Fessler’s live-action 'Bambi,' based on Felix Salten’s original 1923 novel, premiered in theaters, showcasing real animals without animation or digital effects.
• Filmed over 16 weeks in a nature park, the production features deer, foxes, and other wildlife, emphasizing authenticity through documentary-style cinematography.
• The film avoids Disney’s romanticized interpretation, presenting a raw and philosophical exploration of life in the forest, as depicted in Salten’s banned novel.
• Animal welfare groups in France raised concerns about the use of live wild animals, though the production team emphasized humane filming practices.
• Narrated by Senta Berger, the film employs a whispering voice-over and poetic commentary, forgoing dialogue or anthropomorphized animal voices.