Natural history BBC documentaries: history and functions

This scientific article studies natural history documentaries produced by BBC and traces important stages of the development of the attitude towards such genre as natural history documentary. This research is about understanding why this kind of programmes is important, particularly for Ukrainians, and why we should study the genre thoroughly, including the BBC’s experience in the field. Accordingly, the main objectives of the study were: 1. To substantiate the necessity for Ukrainian scholars to study natural history documentaries and BBC’s experience in the field. 2. To trace back and describe the main stages of development in the sphere of producing natural history documentaries by British Broadcasting Corporation. 3. To analyze the obstacles which modern journalists, filmmakers are dealing with and to draw attention of Ukrainian specialists to those philosophical questions that modern era is searching for answers to. In the result of the research these main tasks which were outlined above were fulfilled. The author of this article concluded that natural history documentaries help to understand our place in the world we live in. In addition, through the shared environment we can feel unity with those who inhabit our region, country, inhabited it before, will inhabit in future. Documentaries help us understand who we are. And this function of identification is very important for contemporary Ukraine. To understand how to create proper natural history documentary it’s important to learn the global history of creating such programmes and especially that part which covers BBC’s achievements. The achievements of the corporation which gave birth to such prominent figure as David Attenborough. In addition to this, the article described some modern challenges which documentary makers face and those questions which contemporary society needs to have answered. Because you cannot create a proper natural history programme if you know past but do not know modern challenges. To sum up, the topic which is deeply connected with process of self-identification is very important and perspective for Ukrainian society which suffers hybrid war and endeavours of Russian Federation to assimilate Ukrainian people, Ukrainian culture.