Private Project

Escape to Costa Rica - CONNECTED WITH THE EARTH

Evidence of human existence in Costa Rica dates back over 10,000 years. The Bribri tribe was the first to inhabit what is today Costa Rica. Their efforts to maintain their original language, traditions, and independence firmly connected with a fully self-sufficient life in the jungle are truly exceptional. Their social system is also notable, with a matriarchy playing a pivotal role as well as interest in the wisdom of nature, which they’ve brought into their everyday lives. The natural respect that the Bribri have for nature was even been adopted by foreigners who settled permanently in Costa Rica, and whose stories also make up part of this documentary. Nature itself overpowered them, and they learned to listen, understand, and perceive it naturally. It subconsciously acts as a guide to everyone on how to treat our home, to ensure that its life is not snuffed out.

  • Libor Spacek
    Director
  • Petra Dolezalova
    Writer
  • Escape to Nature: Petra Dolezalova
    Producer
  • Co-producer: Ceska televize
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    SPOJENI SE ZEMÍ
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Television, Other
  • Genres:
    Ethnography, Local people, BriBri, Nature, Indigenous traditions, Connection with nature
  • Runtime:
    52 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 5, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    200,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Czech Republic
  • Country of Filming:
    Costa Rica
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Escape to Nature
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
  • Ceska televize
    Country: Czech Republic
    Rights: All Rights
    Country: Slovakia
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Libor Spacek

In 2008, together with Petra Dolezalova, Libor started a great project called „Escape to Nature“, which is actually a number of independant projects. They finished their first project, called „Escape to Mauritius“ in August 2009. The making of this travel documentary was followed through with a large- format photography exhibition.

Their first documentary was exceptionally succesful. It was awarded as the second best film at the 42nd International Film Festival Tourfilm Karlovy Vary and became the best Czech film at the Festival!

This succes was followed in 2009 by an underwater video „Oscar“ for “Underwater Opera“ at the International Short Film Festival in Great Britain.

„Escape to Tahiti and Her Islands“, the second episode of the project, was finished in March 2011. And again, this documentary received many awards at International Film Festivals both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

„Escape to Saint Lucia“, the third episode of the serie, was finished in January 2013. This documentary filmed in the Carribean was also very succesful at many International Film Festivals.

„Escape to Vanuatu“ was the forth episode, also garning plenty of international awards.

The most succesful film of the series thus far, „Escape to Papua New Guinea“, was introduced in 2015. Premiering at NYU in New York City it was won awards at international film festivals in Germany, Portugal, Bulgaria, France, the USA, Poland and more.

In April 2015 the latest, sixth episode of the series – „Escape to Maldives“. The festival premier took place again in New York where it received „The Best Award“ at the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival.

At the beginning of 2018, the new project Escape to Costa Rica trilogy is completed. These three new documentaries are filmed in 4K resolution. These episodes have the names: CONNECTED WITH THE EARTH; JUNGLE STORY; THE CALL OF THE OCEAN.At the beginning of 2018, the new project Escape to Costa Rica trilogy is completed. These three new documentaries are filmed in 4K resolution.
The titles of the episodes:
"CONNECTED WITH THE EARTH"
"JUNGLE STORY"
"THE CALL OF THE OCEAN"

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Our last documentaries of the series Escape to Nature received more than 70 awards at the international film festivals around the world. For the new documentaries we have changed the whole concepts of the production and have produced new documentaries not only in other way and higher quality, but also more focused on the individual themes of nature. Since that production about Costa Rica we'll shoot all the films in 4K resolution also. We place emphasis on careful selection of music composers for our films who composes music according the pictures and the stories. I can not forget the excellent commentary on individual films by my partner Petra Dolezalova.
We produce documentaries on nature conservation, marine life and wildlife. The main focus is on the last beautiful places of our planet. "What we have today, you do not have to have tomorrow. When we lose our life underwater, all the animals and humans will cease and nothing will live above the water".