Monsoon

Synopsis

This is the story of the most powerful life force on our planet. One that connects animals as distant as snow leopards in the Himalayas, orang-utans in the Bornean jungle and tree-climbing kangaroos in the Australian outback. It impacts the lives of three billion people, bringing the heaviest rainfall on Earth, while leaving intense drought in its wake. This is a tale of riches and ruin, where success depends on perfect timing. This is the story of the Monsoon.

The Asian-Australian monsoon rules over an immense, mysterious and alluring region. One that stretches from the Himalayan Mountains through the great plains and forests of India, across the enchanting islands of Southeast Asia, and deep into the remote deserts of Australia. All life here is shaped by long periods of abundant rainfall followed by months of brutal drought.

Episode one follows the monsoon as it sweeps south, impacting the lives of a captivating cast. From November to April, the sun superheats the Australian continent, drawing moisture-laden monsoon winds south towards it. This, however, leaves India and Southeast Asia to the north baking hot and bone dry. The largest gathering of Asian elephants forms at shrinking waterholes, as mugger crocodiles lie in wait for thirsty chital deer. On the island of Sumatra, an orang-utan mother uses her mental map of the forest to find food during these leaner, drier months. On Sulawesi, strange maleo birds bury their eggs in sand to be incubated by the hot, dry weather.

In Australia, thunder and lightning shatter the sky. When the clouds break, they release breath-taking deluge. Monsoon forests spring to life as tree-climbing kangaroos feast on fruit and birds of paradise perform stunning courtship displays. If enough rain falls, magical lakes appear in the middle of the desert, drawing pelicans hundreds of miles inland from the coast to breed.

Episode two reveals dramatic change, as the monsoon cascades north, bringing the heaviest rainfall on Earth. As summer arrives in the northern hemisphere, the sun now heats the Asian continent, drawing the monsoon winds north across the ocean. In the Australian outback, giant red kangaroos shimmer in the morning heat. Dust devils swirl and fire erupts. The monsoon has reversed.

On the mysterious, rain-soaked island of Borneo carnivorous pitcher plants forge bizarre relationships to survive. Giant male orang-utans call out to avoid conflict, as a youngster learns to make an umbrella to keep dry. Across India and Southeast Asia, the land washes green as frogs wave to attract mates, lion-tailed macaques battle giant squirrels for fruit and wild ass stallions compete for females.

In the Himalayas, Snow leopards and Tibetan foxes stalk flower-filled valleys. Their high mountain home blocks the monsoon winds, forcing over thirty feet of rain to fall each year. The flood plains below, home to tigers and rare one-horned rhinos, are the richest on Earth, though now lie deep underwater. It is here that the monsoon’s raw power is felt more acutely than anywhere else.

A Terra Mater Studios / Dandy Lion Films production