DETHRONED

Big Cat Documentary Film: DETHRONED

"When a King falls, his kingdom trembles" – a story that needed to be told

26.11.2024

Challenge your perceptions of big cats: For millennia, big cats have been revered, the source of our greatest wonders, and our greatest fears. 

Check the quiz below to learn more about the life of big cats and our ever-evolving perceptions of them. 

If you want to learn more, read about our award-winning film DETHRONED, or watch the trailer on YouTube.

Change How the Story Ends

This quiz invites you to explore how the relationship between big cats and humans has evolved and challenges your perceptions. Ready for these 9 questions? Answer what fits most, there are no wrong answers.  

Question - of -

1. What is your first thought when you see a big cat in captivity?

Great instinct! What we think: It's essential to consider the well-being of these magnificent creatures and recognise that their natural habitat is where they truly belong. Sadly, captivity is often advertised as conservation. Big cats in commercial captive facilities are intensively bred and exploited, too genetically inbred and never to be released into the wild.

Great instinct! What we think: It's essential to consider the well-being of these magnificent creatures and recognise that their natural habitat is where they truly belong. Sadly, captivity is often advertised as conservation. Big cats in commercial captive facilities are intensively bred and exploited, too genetically inbred and never to be released into the wild.

Great instinct! What we think: It's essential to consider the well-being of these magnificent creatures and recognise that their natural habitat is where they truly belong. Sadly, captivity is often advertised as conservation. Big cats in commercial captive facilities are intensively bred and exploited, too genetically inbred and never to be released into the wild.

2. What is so appealing about interacting with big cats? 

What we think: While these interactions can seem thrilling and socially rewarding, it's worth considering the harm to the animals. Tourism at big cat facilities funds the breeding of more big cats in captivity and fuels the demand for their exploitation.

What we think: While these interactions can seem thrilling and socially rewarding, it's worth considering the harm to the animals. Tourism at big cat facilities funds the breeding of more big cats in captivity and fuels the demand for their exploitation.

What we think: While these interactions can seem thrilling and socially rewarding, it's worth considering the harm to the animals. Tourism at big cat facilities funds the breeding of more big cats in captivity and fuels the demand for their exploitation.

3. Is there a difference between a captive facility and a sanctuary? 

What we think: This may not often be an obvious answer, but captive facilities often exploit big cats for profit through breeding and public interactions. In contrast, true sanctuaries provide a safe haven for rescued big cats, focusing on their rehabilitation and wellbeing.

What we think: This may not often be an obvious answer, but captive facilities often exploit big cats for profit through breeding and public interactions. In contrast, true sanctuaries provide a safe haven for rescued big cats, focusing on their rehabilitation and wellbeing.

4. What are some common misconceptions about keeping big cats as pets? 

What we think: Keeping big cats as pets may initially seem appealing, but in reality, their natural instincts and needs for large natural habitats, complex social interactions, stimulation and exercise are often unmet. While in some countries keeping big cats as pets is legal, the standards for keeping them are often inadequate.

What we think: Keeping big cats as pets may initially seem appealing, but in reality, their natural instincts and needs for large natural habitats, complex social interactions, stimulation and exercise are often unmet. While in some countries keeping big cats as pets is legal, the standards for keeping them are often inadequate.

What we think: Keeping big cats as pets may initially seem appealing, but in reality, their natural instincts and needs for large natural habitats, complex social interactions, stimulation and exercise are often unmet. While in some countries keeping big cats as pets is legal, the standards for keeping them are often inadequate.

5. How does commercial big cat trade affect wild populations? 

What we think: Across the world, numerous big cat species are exploited for commercial purposes. Big cat parts and products from legal captive breeding facilities often leak into the illegal wildlife trade, the fourth largest criminal activity in the world.

What we think: Across the world, numerous big cat species are exploited for commercial purposes. Big cat parts and products from legal captive breeding facilities often leak into the illegal wildlife trade, the fourth largest criminal activity in the world.

6. How is social media affecting our relationship with big cats? 

What we think: Your reflections on social media's impact on big cats capture both the positive and negative effects. All the points above can be true. Only by using social media thoughtfully, can we help protect big cats and advocate for their well-being.  

What we think: Your reflections on social media's impact on big cats capture both the positive and negative effects. All the points above can be true. Only by using social media thoughtfully, can we help protect big cats and advocate for their well-being.  

What we think: Your reflections on social media's impact on big cats capture both the positive and negative effects. All the points above can be true. Only by using social media thoughtfully, can we help protect big cats and advocate for their well-being.  

7. Do you think stricter laws are needed to protect big cats?

What we think: Stricter laws are part of the solution. They can set clearer standards and penalties, which might deter people from engaging in harmful practices. But among other efforts, we also need to combine this with public education and awareness to make sure people understand why these laws are important. 

What we think: Stricter laws are part of the solution. They can set clearer standards and penalties, which might deter people from engaging in harmful practices. But among other efforts, we also need to combine this with public education and awareness to make sure people understand why these laws are important. 

What we think: Stricter laws are part of the solution. They can set clearer standards and penalties, which might deter people from engaging in harmful practices. But among other efforts, we also need to combine this with public education and awareness to make sure people understand why these laws are important. 

8. Big cat trade is not a global problem, it only happens in specific countries.

What we think: 

Big cat trade is a global issue. Even if some countries might be more notorious for it, the impact is felt worldwide through different trade networks and demands in various regions. It’s a problem that crosses borders and needs a global response.

What we think: 

Big cat trade is a global issue. Even if some countries might be more notorious for it, the impact is felt worldwide through different trade networks and demands in various regions. It’s a problem that crosses borders and needs a global response. 

What we think: 

Big cat trade is a global issue. Even if some countries might be more notorious for it, the impact is felt worldwide through different trade networks and demands in various regions. It’s a problem that crosses borders and needs a global response. 

9. How do cultural attitudes towards big cats influence protecting big cats? 

What we think: Positive attitudes can drive protection, while negative perceptions can lead to exploitation. If certain activities (like interactions or keeping them as pets) are accepted or celebrated in certain cultures, it becomes harder to change them and create better laws. We all have a role in challenging these norms.

What we think: Positive attitudes can drive protection, while negative perceptions can lead to exploitation. If certain activities (like interactions or keeping them as pets) are accepted or celebrated in certain cultures, it becomes harder to change them and create better laws. We all have a role in challenging these norms.

What we think: Positive attitudes can drive protection, while negative perceptions can lead to exploitation. If certain activities (like interactions or keeping them as pets) are accepted or celebrated in certain cultures, it becomes harder to change them and create better laws. We all have a role in challenging these norms.

Our choices today shape the world of tomorrow

Stand up for big cats and help rewrite their story #Dethroned #BreakTheViciousCycle

Lioness resting

DETHRONED synopsis

Big cats have been revered by mankind for millennia, but what has become of the relationship between us in modern day?

Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski has spent his life documenting the interplay of people and planet. Now he’s turning his camera on these icons of the ancients.   

From the jungles of Peru and the lion farms of South Africa to exotic pet owners in Pakistan and Southeast Asia’s illegal wildlife trade, DETHRONED is a thoughtful and beautifully crafted investigation into our relationship with big cats.

Ultimately it asks: what becomes of us when we destroy all that is sacred?

Acknowledgements

Aaron Gekoski
Aaron Gekoski 
Photojournalist and Film-Maker
Aaron Gekoski is an internationally-acclaimed photojournalist and film-maker, specialising in human-animal conflict. For more than 15 years he has travelled the globe to report on our complex relationship with wildlife covering issues from the illegal wildlife and pet trade, to deforestation, marine conservation and wildlife tourism, his images have appeared in publications such as National Geographic, the BBC, GEO, The Guardian, The Times, Newsweek, and many more.

He is a winner of accolades such as Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature Photographer of the Year and International Photography Awards. Aaron has produced or featured in over 100 short- and long-form documentaries. His films have been acquired by numerous leading broadcasters including Al Jazeera, Smithsonian, Apple TV, Sky, Amazon, and National Geographic. A documentary he produced called, 'Eyes of the Orangutan' was recently up for Best Conservation Film at the prestigious JacksonWild Film Festival, with Aaron nominated for Best On-Screen Talent at Wildscreen. The film is currently being shown on National Geographic.   
Will Foster-Grundy
Will Foster-Grundy 
Cinematographer and Producer
Will is an English cinematographer and producer operating across genres and working environments. Just as comfortable on set as underwater, up a mountain, or shooting from the roof of a moving vehicle. Will strives to create powerful, emotive imagery in the most challenging of situations. 

Will has provided cinematography for 
a number of independent productions selected for international film festivals between working for broadcast clients including Netflix, BBC and National Geographic. 
 
Susanne Lummer
Susanne Lummer 
Executive Producer
A lovable animal typically has soft fur, four paws, and two big eyes, right? Well, not for Su. She's the Executive Producer with a soft spot for creepy-crawly creatures that have at least six to eight legs and the same number of eyes. Susanne's passion for wildlife of any size, combined with her experience and expertise in natural history and science productions, characterise her work at Terra Mater Studios, where she's strengthening the Specialist Factual team. Susanne graduated from her biology studies in Berlin with a diploma thesis about electron-microscopical research of unicellular organisms and later added a university degree in science journalism.

 As Executive Producer in Vienna, she supervises productions such as the Romy Award-winning series 'The Lions Rule' and international science co-productions like 'Star Chasers of Senegal'. After the success of 'Eyes of the Orangutan', 'Dethroned' is now her second project in collaboration with Will Foster-Grundy and Aaron Gekoski. Let's just say, they make a great team.
Vanessa Amoroso
Vanessa Amoroso 
Head of Wild Animals in Trade
Vanessa has been employed at FOUR PAWS / VIER PFOTEN International since September 2021 and has worked within the animal welfare sector for thirteen years. She holds a BSc in Environmental Biology and a PGCert in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law.

In her current role, Vanessa oversees the design and delivery of the commercial big cat trade campaign in South Africa and the European trade of Tigers. In addition, Vanessa also heads up the wildlife trade component of the Pandemics and Animal Welfare campaign.
Lion and tiger cubs

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