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APPS
Legends of Sable Island: Whispers from the Land of Wind and Sand is a poetic short documentary told through 24 evocative vignettes that unfold across one of the world’s most remote landscapes. Adrift in the North Atlantic, Sable Island emerges as a living presence, shaped by wind, silence, and time. Through Roberto Dutesco’s lens, the island’s wild horses, shifting dunes, and fragile ecosystems reveal a quiet resilience born of isolation. More than a portrait of place, the film is a meditation on endurance, impermanence, and humanity’s deep, often forgotten connection to the natural world, a reminder to slow down and listen to the whispers carried by the wind.
More with Roberto Dutesco: Chasing Wild Horses
15:00 | 2026
COMING SOON TO CORE
Legends of Sable Island is part of a special CORE initiative celebrating the lifelong work of photographer and conservation storyteller Roberto Dutesco, whose images of the wild horses of Sable Island have become an enduring symbol of freedom, resilience, and respect for untouched landscapes.
The short documentary premieres as part of Dutesco’s photography exhibition during the Venice Biennale, presented on San Giorgio Maggiore from late April through early July, within a distinguished curatorial program that has previously featured artists such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Helmut Newton. The film accompanies the exhibition, offering audiences a moving visual meditation on Sable Island, a protected ecosystem shaped entirely by wind, sand, and time, where human intervention remains intentionally limited.
Following its Venice screening, Legends of Sable Island is released globally on CORE, extending the life of the exhibition beyond Venice and making the story accessible to viewers around the world. Through CORE+ education layers, the film becomes part of a deeper learning journey, inviting reflection on conservation, stewardship, and humanity’s relationship with fragile environments. Together, the exhibition, film, and educational experience unite art, storytelling, and learning, offering a timeless reminder of the quiet power of preservation.
Roberto Dutesco is an internationally acclaimed artist, photographer, filmmaker, poet and explorer. His work spans over 35 years and over 75 countries. Works from his 30-year journey to capture the beauty and undisturbed freedom of the Wild Horses of Sable Island® have been shown in exhibitions in the United States, Japan, France, Switzerland, Singapore , Korea, Canada and Brazil.
These works are currently on view at the new Wild Horses of Sable Island Gallery® located at 315 Hudson Street, New York, NY as well as The IAMWILD Gallery located at 238 Sound Beach Ave. in Old Greenwich CT. Established in 2006, Roberto's first Soho gallery was one of the longest running single themed shows in New York City, and was chosen as one of fifty must-visit places by Art Architecture Design.
Driven by the belief that art and beauty transforms how people think about conservation, Roberto's efforts, his work, talks and charitable activities along with the Chasing Wild Horses documentary were instrumental in driving international awareness of Sable Island and securing official protection for its wild horses.
Sable Island is a crescent-shaped sandbar located approximately 190 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, in the Atlantic Ocean. Known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" due to its history of shipwrecks, this remote and windswept island is renowned for its rugged beauty and ecological significance. It is home to one of the world's most iconic populations of wild horses, believed to have roamed the island for centuries, descended from animals brought by European settlers.
Beyond its famous wild horses, Sable Island is a fragile ecosystem, supporting over 350 species of plants, migratory birds, seals, and insects, many of which are rare or endemic. The island’s unique landscape of shifting dunes, grassy fields, and freshwater ponds creates a striking contrast to the surrounding ocean and has earned it recognition as a Canadian National Park Reserve since 2013. Strict regulations protect the island’s delicate balance, limiting human interaction to preserve its untouched character.
Sable Island remains an enduring symbol of resilience and natural wonder, captivating artists, conservationists, and explorers with its untamed charm and extraordinary biodiversity.
The wild horses of Sable Island are a unique and iconic population of feral horses that roam freely on this remote sandbar off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Believed to be descendants of domestic horses brought to the island in the 18th century by European settlers, these hardy animals have adapted to the island’s harsh and isolated environment over generations.
Small in stature, with thick, windblown manes and coats that vary from bay to chestnut and black, the horses are built for survival in their austere habitat. They endure extreme weather conditions, including fierce winds, scarce vegetation, and limited freshwater sources, relying on their resilience to thrive.
Protected as part of Sable Island’s National Park Reserve designation, these horses live without human intervention, embodying the true essence of wildness. Their presence not only symbolizes the untamed spirit of the island but also serves as a reminder of nature’s remarkable ability to endure and inspire.
I Am Wild is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between humanity and the natural world. Its mission is to inspire global awareness, education, and action to protect wild spaces and species through art, storytelling, and conservation initiatives. By collaborating with artists, filmmakers, and conservationists, I Am Wild seeks to bridge the gap between people and nature, encouraging a sense of wonder and responsibility for the planet's ecosystems.
The organization leverages the power of visual storytelling to highlight the beauty and fragility of the wild, creating impactful campaigns and educational programs that drive meaningful change. With a focus on preserving biodiversity and supporting sustainable practices, I Am Wild aims to empower individuals and communities to take active roles in protecting the Earth’s natural heritage for generations to come. You can visit the IAMWILD Gallery located at 238 Sound Beach Ave. in Old Greenwich CT.
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