Lion Army

In the Kruger National Park there is a hunting force that rivals anything else in Africa - a lion pride, 28 members strong! Despite the females' hunting prowess, nine adolescent males dominate every kill. Bigger and stronger, they bully their way to the best spots on the carcass. The pride's two powerful males could easily enforce discipline, but with them away on patrol, the unruly youngsters are running riot. When eight strong lionesses split from the Megapride, food pressure mounts as the remaining females struggle to cater for their sons' growing demands. Unfocused, uncoordinated and ineffective hunters, the youngsters offer no support to ease the strain. When a lioness is severely injured during a hippo hunt, the adult females call to the pride males for help. Their visits may be infrequent but as the head of the family it's their duty to protect the females and respond if help is needed. During a heated food fight, they drive three juveniles from the pride forever. A new attitude grips the remaining youngsters; they begin to help on the hunts and succeed in bringing down prey. As time marches on, pride dynamics change again. New cubs are welcomed into the family and the pride males return home.

This is…The Lion Army

Schedule
Billi-Jean Parker

Director: Billi-Jean Parker (Producer)

Billi-Jean's vision is to work with a creative team and help craft strong, dramatic wildlife stories.

With a degree in English and Communications, Billi-Jean has over 11 years experience in the television industry, predominantly directing and producing documentaries. Before joining the exciting world of wildlife, Billi-Jean produced and directed on a local and international science and technology series as well as 2 award winning documentary series for National Geographic Channels International - 'Five Weddings and a Couple of Funerals' and 'The Rite Stuff.

As the senior producer/writer for Aquavision Wildlife Filmmakers, Billi-Jean works on her own film projects as well as supervises all development work for the company. With Peter Lamberti she has produced and written four 1 hour HD wildlife films, including the award winning 'Lions of Crocodile River' which received the Platinum award for writing at the 2008 WorldFest Houston International Film Festival.

She has just completed producing and writing a film about a large pride of lions called 'Lion Army' and is currently busy with her next HD 1 hour for National Geographic Channels International on Warthogs.

Billi-Jean was proud to be a judge for the 2008 South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAS) as well as for the 2009 ROSCAR Wildlife Awards.

South Africa
2008
50 Min.
English
7
Director: Billi-Jean Parker (Producer)
Script: Billi-Jean Parker
Cinematography: Nathan Pilcher
Editing: Elmien Fourie
Music: Benjamin Willem
Narrator: Salvatore Vecchio
Editor: Rachelle Keeling
Website URL: www.aquavision.co.za