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Clint Eastwood has been known as something of a no-nonsense tough guy during his decades-long career in Hollywood. That’s why it’s come as an exciting surprise to fans that he’s set to show off his softer side in a new wildlife documentary that’s titled “Why On Earth.”

Eastwood’s ‘Compassionate Side’ Comes Out 

Directed by conservationist filmmaker Katie Cleary, this documentary will highlight nature and wild animals, specifically looking at the relationship between humans, animals, and plant life.

“We’re showing what’s happening to elephants, rhinos in Africa, the palm oil epidemic in Indonesia and Borneo and Sumatra, and how it’s affecting the orangutans,” Cleary told Fox News. “Really, the connection between humans and animals and in our natural environment and in trying to spread compassion and awareness about these issues before it’s too late before we lose a lot of these species.”

Cleary confirmed that Eastwood, 92, will be narrating the documentary, adding that they bonded over their mutual love for animals. She told fans that they are about to see a side of Eastwood that they have never seen before. 

“Yeah, he’s hosting it. He takes us through the whole process. He’s incredible. He’s a huge animal lover,” Cleary explained. “So, this film really just brings out an amazing side to him that maybe a lot of people haven’t seen, which is that compassionate side, especially for animals.”

Related: Clint Eastwood Punched His Son In The Face For This – ‘It Was Old School’

Eastwood Takes Active Role In Documentary

After Eastwood signed on as narrator, he took an active role in working with Cleary on the film.

“We went up, and we filmed at his ranch,” Cleary said. “It was amazing just seeing his stomping grounds and, you know, just he’s surrounded in nature, and he’s just an amazing person. He just has such a big heart. It was great to be able to sit with him. You can see how passionate he is about wildlife and his own animals.”

Cleary was pleased to find that despite being a Hollywood star for decades, Eastwood was “very calm and very patient.” She loved hearing his words of wisdom and found the way he lives in the moment at all times to be inspiring. 

Approach Nature With Kindness

It took Cleary four years to make this documentary, with half of that time consisting of filming. 

“We traveled throughout Africa and then … we went to South Africa, Kenya. We went to Borneo, Sumatra, and Indonesia. We went to Izmir, Harrison, Mexico,” Cleary stated. “And then we went to the capital here in Sacramento to kind of show the process of how you really affect change on a state and federal level as well.”

In the end, Cleary is hoping that her and Eastwood’s documentary will inspire others to approach nature with kindness.

“I really think … we have so much to learn from our natural world,” she said. “And if we just kind of quiet the noise and sit for a second and just listen and be in nature and, you know, animals have so much to teach us.”

“What are we truly giving back, and what are we leaving for future generations?” Cleary concluded. “And to be a voice for me, to be a voice for the voiceless. And that’s why I’m doing it.”

Related: Clint Eastwood’s Daughter Opens Up About Her Dad

‘Why On Earth’ Wins Awards

Yahoo News reported that Why On Earth has already won many prestigious awards including:

  • Cannes World Film Festival – Best Nature/Wildlife Film, Best Women Film, Best Environmental Film, and Best Female Director Feature Film
  • Lonely Wolf International Film Festival – Best Cinematography
  • Chicago Indie Film Awards – Best Documentary Feature
  • Nature Without Borders International Film Festival – Best Wildlife/Nature Documentary
  • LA Independent Women Film Awards – Best Female Director & Best Documentary Feature
  • Toronto International Women Film Festival – Best Feature Documentary & Best Female Director
  • Berlin Short Festival – Best International Short Film & Best Female Director

SEMI-FINALIST:

  • Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift – Best International Documentary
  • Montreal Independent Film Festival – Best Feature Documentary

OFFICIAL SELECTION:

  • Amazonia del Plata – Best Documentary
  • Film Stream Festival – Best Environmental/Outdoor
  • Wildlife Conservation Film Festival – Best Feature Film Entry
  • Fauna Tepoztlán Animal Festival – Best Feature Length Film
  • Septimius Awards – Best Documentary
  • Lonely Wolf International Film Festival – Best Feature Documentary
  • Northwest Fest International Documentary Festival – Global Visions

It’s unclear when this documentary will be coming out, but we definitely can’t wait to see a side of Eastwood that we’ve never seen before! 

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