Turner Commissions Singapore Botanic Gardens Documentary For World Heritage Channel

Turner has commissioned an original production that profiles the world’s first and only tropical botanic gardens to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entitled A World Icon: Singapore Botanic Gardens, the program will premiere on Turner’s recently-launched World Heritage Channel in Asia.

The 60-minute special signals the start of the channel’s commitment to creating original Asian documentary content, and entertaining viewers about the most beautiful, the most interesting and the most important heritage sites across the region. The project is also timed to document this year’s official ceremony that confirms Singapore Botanic Gardens’ successful bid for inclusion on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Produced in 4K and using state-of-the-art drone technology to film awe-inspiring aerial cinematography, A World Icon: Singapore Botanic Gardens will feature epic time-lapses coupled with slow-motion sequences to paint a mesmerizing and unforgettable picture of this botanic masterpiece. Expert historians, botanists and taxonomists will help tell the story of this revered garden – from its historical and cultural heritage to the oldest tree, largest orchid collection in the world, colonial buildings and new scientific breakthroughs, whilst shedding light on what future lies in store for this national treasure.

“The Botanic Gardens of Singapore is not just a green oasis in the heart of one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan metropolis. This is a garden like no other with fascinating stories of history, heritage, culture and science, hidden in each petal, leaf and brick. This documentary will chart in a way like nothing you’ve ever seen before, the phenomenal evolution and transformation of a modest tropical garden into a world icon,” said Ricky Ow, President of Turner Asia Pacific.

He added: “The project is perfect for World Heritage Channel, which is home to some of the most awe-inspiring history, culture, travel and nature programming. And I cannot think of a more exciting start to the first in a series of original productions for our newest brand, World Heritage Channel, as well as a more fitting way to commemorate Singapore’s golden jubilee anniversary.”

Beach House Pictures – producers of the award-winning nature series Kakadu, the Sir David Attenborough-narrated blue-chip wildlife series Wild City, and the epic two-part China from Above – has been commissioned to produce A World Icon: Singapore Botanic Gardens. Filming is scheduled to commence immediately and the documentary is expected to air in late 2015 or early 2016.

The 150-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens was inscribed in July 2015 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in Germany, Bonn. It is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and is the first in Asia and only the third inscribed botanic gardens anywhere. The 74-hectare gardens holds a unique and significant place in the history of Singapore and the region.

The launch of World Heritage Channel was announced in March 2015.