Michael Palin journeys across the Philippines in a new three-part travel adventure series commissioned from ITN Productions for 5 in the U.K.
5 has previously commissioned docs with Palin traveling across Venezuela, Nigeria, Iraq, and North Korea.
“I find these journeys for 5 irresistible and revealing,” Palin said. “Rarely does anyone have the chance to get as close to the great issues of a country as we did in the Philippines. I was a little nervous of taking on yet another journey, especially one so testing on the energy levels, but what we heard and saw was extraordinary and very different from any of the journeys we’ve done so far. A cracker, though I say it myself.”
Michael Palin in the Philippines was commissioned by Guy Davies, consultant editor for commissioning at 5. “Michael’s new series for 5 is as challenging, insightful, and visually stunning,” he said. “He is energetic and interested in people’s stories as ever. I still can’t believe he’s on his fifth consecutive journey for us, and he’s as energetic, funny, and warm-hearted as ever. ”
Neil Ferguson, series producer and director for ITN, added, “This was the most ambitious shoot we’ve ever done with Michael, and the Philippines exceeded all our expectations. It’s a country of stunning contrasts, and we often experienced paradise one day, followed by something much darker the next. And whether it was political protest marches, military flights to remote islands, sleeping on the deck of overnight ferries, or swimming with thousands of sardines, Michael took it all in his ridiculously nimble stride. It’s a real adventure.”
