A poetic documentary set in the woods—among animals and ancestral sounds—that transforms nature into a meditation on time, memory, and life.
Winner of the 2026 César Award for Best Documentary
A grandfather, his son, and his grandson—Michel, Vincent (the director), and Simon—are three men of different generations who share a unique experience: observing nature from up close, all the while treating it with deep respect. In the coniferous forests of the Vosges department in France, they return to a wooden cabin—lit only by candlelight—that serves as a safe base for their explorations. Between the three, a passion for the natural world and its wildlife is passed down, through a constant exchange of knowledge and curiosity. It is a legacy built on stories shared orally and on firsthand experience gained in the field. For Michel, the spark was ignited many years ago when he caught sight of a capercaillie—a species that has since vanished from the region.
“Rich in educational insights and structured—in a tripartite, schematic way—as a coming-of-age story, "Whispers in the Woods" reminds us of the insignificance of human beings (‘we exist within that which passes’), and of the continuity between life and death—a continuity reflected both in the passing of the torch and the transmission of knowledge between generations, and in the natural cycle of living things, such as plants. It restores a sense of proportion to humanity in relation to the vastness of the cosmos, and encourages respect for the environment—beginning with learning how to perceive it—as a synesthetic experience.” (Raffaella Giancristofaro).
