The Owners (2026)

The global movement granting nature legal rights—allowing ecosystems to exist, flourish, and restore themselves—is gaining momentum worldwide. A standout case is New Zealand’s Whanganui River, now recognized as a legal entity with the same standing as a person. Journeying through the Whanganui River and Mount Taranaki, this documentary uncovers key insights for a groundbreaking effort in South Korea: establishing 'eco-legal personhood' for the Jeju Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, a first-of-its-kind initiative. This exploration ultimately challenges us to rethink how we truly engage with and build meaningful bonds with the natural world.