“A behind-the-scenes look at how the relationship between these two amazing film makers and their subject developed”

This intimate story is about the relationship between two passionate filmmakers and the big apex predators they have worked with.

Dereck and Beverly Joubert, filmmakers, researchers and National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence, have worked with lions in Botswana for over 25 years, trying to discover as much as they can about these big cats. Unravelling many myths, and unveiling new behaviour to science.

Today though they change gears and set out to study a different cat. They struggle to adapt to the new habitat, a different pace, and a very elusive cat challenges their resolve. But when they find a leopard of 8 days old, their lives change.

As they follow the cub and her mother, two wild leopards in the Mombo area, a special kind of bond starts to develop between the humans and these elusive cats. Their film Eye of the Leopard tells the story of this young leopardess as she grows up. Throughout their 3 years filming Legadema, the Jouberts have been connected with her in a way very few people ever have been with a wild animal.

This film tells the story of the relationship that she develops with Dereck and Beverly, one that turns their lives upside down, challenges their ethics and over 25 years of working limits. It is passionately told, and in many ways a story of internal conflict, testing of boundaries and seduction.... The seduction of Dereck and Beverly Joubert by a young leopard who came out of its den and into their lives.

For many years viewers around the world have asked to see how the Jouberts work, a kind of ‘behind the scenes look’ at what makes a major National Geographic documentary. At last we have it in this film.

The film won Best Documentary at the Aspen Film Festival 2007.

Narrated by Jeremy Irons.
Produced by Wildlife Films Botswana for National Geographic Channels (2007).