This inspiring documentary follows Harry Turner, a young Afghanistan war veteran as he goes to the Amazon and gets involved with a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. His assignment? Training Khan, an orphaned baby ocelot. how to live in the jungle before releasing the animal into the wild. Little did he know how much this photogenic creature would help him with his PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)..
Fortunately, the camera shows us many amazing scenes of the veteran and ocelot working and playing together. It’s particularly interesting to see how quickly Khan learns about finding food.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Before watching WILDCAT, I had never seen an ocelot. But the minute this baby one came on screen, I fell in love. .
I want an ocelot as pet.
But that won’t happen, want to bet?
Baby ocelots are so cute!
See WILDCAT and do not dispute.
This documentary with heart
reveals how hard it is to part
with ocelots when they are grown.
Before WILDCAT not broadly known.
Animal lovers will be glad
to see this film though sometimes sad.
And many will feel just like me
wanting more ocelots to see.
Wildcat also covers Harry’s close relationship with compassionate conservationist Samantha Zwicker who helps him through his bad times even though she has problems from her past. too. Everyone should have someone like Samantha to count on.
And Harry does face some bad times in this powerful documentary. Nothing gold can stay, as the old saying goes. There comes a time when he must take care of Keanu, another ocelot. Will this help make the difference in his recovery?
Co-directors Melissa Lesh and Trevor Beck Frost deserve praise for their terrific work on Wildcat. They know what will touch viewers and made sure it comes across in the film by helping with the editing and cinematography.
No wonder Wildcat won Best Documentary at several film festivals and is on the way for Oscar® consideration.
When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I see a soul. --- Anthony Douglas Williams
(Released by Amazon Studios and rated “R” by MPAA. Opens December 21, 2022 in theaters and streaming on Amazon beginning December 30, 2022)
