Based on Isabella Tree's 2018 book of the same name, Wilding explores the process taken by Tree and her Baronet Husband Charles Burrell, to restore a natural balance to the land around his ancestral seat in Sussex.
Originally the site of intensive farming, in 2000 the Knepp estate was becoming depleted of life. The soil saturated with so many layers of chemicals upon chemicals that it was a perfect example of a typical British farm. Managed and manipulated to it's limits, and with farming becoming less profitable, the Burrell's did something drastic.
They stopped farming, brought in as close as they could get to wild pigs, horses, and cows, and let them roam free on the land. The hope being to restore a small portion of our natural landscape. This didn't come without resistance. With local farmers imploring them to manage invasive weeds that were a risk to their own livelihoods. But at each step, things just seemed to go right. The land managed itself and a lucky balance was struck (with some management of the grazing animals' numbers – they didn't introduce any predators).
Wilding is an interesting and inspiring piece of work, encouraging all of us to consider what is best for any land we might have control of, though there is a limited examination of the privilege this family in particular has in being able to maintain the land as they have. They are in receipt of grants and other such funds to manage any projects, but there seems to be little indication of what the family is living on. Suggesting they are independently wealthy and therefore do not need to pursue a steady income. This may not be true, but it would be nice to have examined that on screen so as to suggest ways in which this sort of project could be accessible to landowners with perhaps more limited funds. Ending at only 74 minutes, this suggests there was time to do so. And not looking at this in an age when many of our farmers are struggling seems particularly short-sighted.
That being said, the images of the land improving and new life growing are wonderful. Beautifully shot footage of pigs snuffling through the ground for worms is intercut with great swarms of butterflies and then Sir Charles himself crawling to closely examine the insects feeding on a cowpat. Wild horses explore the landscape, as more rare animals are reintroduced into this managed but not managed estate. Tree has a managed, precise, and engaging way of speaking, making her a worthy guide through their story.
Wilding will not break any records or even likely be seen by those who aren't already interested in this sort of film, but if you are interested, it is worth snuffling out.
Wilding is available on Blu-ray and DVD now
