With vibrant natural colors and beautiful cinematography both underwater and aboveground, Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story is an immersive documentary that showcases the wonders of Texas wildlife, and introduces the audience to aspects of our environment that most people never get to see. An in-depth look at Texas’s diverse ecosystems and jaw-dropping landscapes, this documentary not only showcases the natural splendor of our state but also what we can do to preserve it. Narrated by Matthew McConaughey, the filmmakers tell the stories of 12 unique Texas animal species, and the fight to keep them alive.
This documentary takes viewers on an adventure through Texas’ varied ecosystems, examining the plants and animals that sustain them, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Panhandle. Director Ben Masters called the film a “love letter” to Texas wildlife. “[We] really wanted to do justice, to really show off the beauty of where we live, and to show other Texans how special our state is,” he said.
Deep in the Heart gives viewers a glimpse at rare animals like the Texas ocelot. Living in dense shrublands close to the coast, these wildcats are critically endangered and only found in this state. Just over 30 remain. With their habitat lost to cities and farming, the ocelots are concentrated in a small area prone to hurricanes and wildfires. Other vulnerable animals seen in the film, such as bison and blind catfish, each play a special role in Texas ecosystems. Masters explained that, through filming a dozen species, his film takes us to almost every part of Texas:
