Knut & Friends

In the opening sequence of this German documentary, director Michael Johnson introduces a polar bear caring for her three cubs in a cozy den beneath the snow until they're ready to venture into the Arctic wilderness. Sadly, one of them doesn't make the transition, though the English-language narrator picks up the survivors' story in the aftermath. Johnson contrasts their rough-and-tumble childhood with that of Knut, the Berlin Zoo's unbelievably cute cub, the first born there in 30 years to survive more than a few days. After his mother rejects him, zookeeper Thomas Dörflein takes over—feeding, bathing, and brushing him, teaching him to walk and swim, and allowing him to suckle his hand, which elicits a purr-like sound. A third narrative strand follows two orphaned brown bear cubs living in the forests of Belarus. Unlike the polar bears, the duo lives off plants, bugs, and honey, while trying to avoid wolves. Children may not notice, but adults will surely spot the parallels to human family configurations, such as single mothers and adoptive parents (whether male or female). In all cases, the camera crew gets in close with the bears, especially Knut, who often looks right into the lens. Despite Peter Wolf's cheesy pop songs, Knut & Friends is recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)