THE EYES OF THE ATACAMA
Terra Mater Factual Studios (2012), 43 Min.
The Atacama desert is currently the site of a massive construction project – ALMA. The ALMA However, the cosmic millimetre waves measured by the observatory are absorbed as they enter the earth’s atmosphere – which is why ALMA is located on the high Atacama plateau. The altitude and extremely low humidity of this driest of all deserts on the planet allow these cosmic rays to penetrate to the observatory’s measurement equipment.
But conditions at 5000 metres altitude are extreme, and the construction project is a gigantic challenge for engineers and scientists alike. ALMA is designed to solve the puzzles that go way beyond earthly issues. With the “Eyes of the Atacama”, as ALMA is termed by scientists, due to the research station’ huge parabolic mirrors, they hope to establish new milestones in astronomy. By means of large images and an eye to detail, we bring to life the sheer adventure of space research in one of the remotest parts of the globe.
THE WORLD´S GREATEST BALLOON ADVENTURES
Documentary (5 x 52 min), ZDF/ Arte, 2010-2012
This five-part series explores the world’s most fascinating landscapes with hot-air balloons. Emotional human encounters, exotic cultural experiences and thrilling adventures in the wild are the ingredients for a dynamic, exciting and entertaining series about the extraordinary life of ballooning enthusiasts and their quest for the “Great Picture”.
PART ONE: THE WORLD´S GREATEST BALLOON ADVENTURES - SRI LANKA
Our balloon trip to Sri Lanka is a journey through an exceptionally beautiful country in the Indian Ocean. Rich cultures, ancient temples, exotic landscapes, old steam locomotives and tea plantations are part of the adventure. Landing however is difficult in a country, which seems to consist only of jungle, lakes and rice-paddies.
PART TWO: THE WORLD´S GREATEST BALLOON ADVENTURES - MONGOLIA
In Mongolia we follow international crews from France, Germany, Great Britain and Switzerland through the Mongolian steppe, the temple complex of Karakorum and the Gobi Desert. Boundless vastness, pathless solitude and infinite freedom shape the life of the steppe people. The ground logistics alone are pure adventure and off-road vehicles are a must outside the Mongolian Capital Ulan Bator.
PART THREE: THE WORLD´S GREATEST BALLOON ADVENTURES- THE ALPS
The giant mountain scenery and the majestic panorama of the Alps is an outstanding and challenging experience for every hot-air balloonist. This episode also focuses on the theoretical aspects of ballooning: how high, how far and how precise can a balloon fly? What do you need to know about weather, wind and geography? A spectacular highlight is the Night Glow in Chateau d’Oex, when the fiery balloons illuminate the darkness of the valley.
PART FOUR: THE WORLD`S GREATEST BALLOON ADVENTURES - KENYA
The Kenyan Rift-Valley with its enormous herds of animals is one of the most breathtaking savannas of the world. Kenya is also the home of Alan Root, one of the world’s most renowned wildlife filmmakers. Over forty years ago he was taught how to fly a balloon by our pilot Phil Dunnington. Now they meet again and fly through the skies above the Maasai Mara as they used to in the old days.
PART FIVE: THE WORLD´S GREATEST BALLOON ADVENTURES - VENEZUELA
Venezuela with its spectacular landscapes is the grand finale of our journey. The spectacular Table Mountains (Tepuis) in the south of the country build the backdrop for the adventurous flights in La Gran Sabana. In this episode the renowned Director Werner Herzog joins us in search of inspiration for new unusual visuals. For a long time he has been an admirer of the austere beauty of the Tepuis - now he not only ventures to experience the eerie ambience on their top, but also takes the risk of ballooning in the vicinity of the “Lost World” mountains.
MADAGASCAR – You Beauty!
ZDF/Arte (2011), 43 min.
“Madagascar – You Beauty” – is how they sing about the magic island in the Indian Ocean. And not without reason, because this remote island is home to unique flora and fauna, unlike anything else you will find in the world.
This film takes us on a journey through Madagascar, from the dry, spiny forrest in the south west, where mighty baobab trees shape the skyline, to the primeval rainforests of the north east. We will hear the eery cry of the lemur, and come upon an astonishingly wide variety of bizarre creatures including mysterious Kattas and chameleons.
On our sojourn we take a glimpse at the daily life of the Madagascan tribes: at the coast, fishing and shipbuilding are traditional crafts, while inland they cultivate rice, coffee and vanilla beans. But one thing unites all Madagascans, regardless of their origin: a deep-seated respect for nature, which is reflected in the beliefs and the mythology of all its people. The most moving and lasting impression, however, is the sheer zest for life of these island folk, which is expressed in dance and music – as the song, “Madagascar – You Beauty” so clearly demonstrates.
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WILD FACES OF THE ANDES
Film by Steffen Sailer (2011), 52 min.
Spanning more than 7500 kilometres north to south, the Andes is the longest mountain range in the world. Peaks thrusting up to 7 000 metres are more than just an imposing sight, they also have a tremendous impact on the South American climate.
The land in the shadow of the Andes is a study in contrasts – a land of fire and ice, cold and heat. In the stormy wastes of Patagonia to the south, craggy mountain ranges and glaciers are the landscape’s main features, while further north in the high Andes, volcanoes, geysers and soda lakes predominate. The Atacama – the driest desert in the world – lies to the west of the Andes, and the Pantanal – the world’s largest wetlands – stretches to the east: further examples of the extremes engendered by the Andes range.
The country’s fauna is as varied as its landscape. Guanakos, flamingos, giant otters, penguins, caimans and Patagonian foxes are just some of the feathered or four-legged stars of the film.
Majestic landscapes and unusual animal stories – grandiose and fascinating, amusing or exciting – illustrate with breathtaking images the diversity of life in the shadow of this mighty mountain range.[more]
BABOON BANDITS
Monkey Alert in South Africa
ZDF/ Arte (2011), 50 min.
They steal handbags, open cars and have no respect for humans. The last baboons of the Table Mountain region have become a real plague.
The resident population is split into sympathetic protectors and fierce opponents. The animals are deliberately run over by cars, shot and poisoned. The days of the last baboons at the Cape seem to be numbered.
According to scientists the baboons have to relearn that humans are a threat in order to survive. Thus a special force has been recruited from the townships: the „Baboon Police“. Day and night the „officers“ follow the marauding baboon troops trying to chase away the monkeys with slingshots, sticks and whips.
The documentary follows the „Baboon Police“ and their marauding monkey clans. Is there still a chance for humans and baboons to live in peaceful neighbourhood?[more]
THE VOSGES REGION
Rugged Beauty
ZDF/Arte (2010), 43 min.
Sunlit forests, marshy floodplains and colourful sandstone formations. The Vosges is a multifaceted low mountain region bursting with life in the summer months. Chamois, deer and hedgehogs abound in the forests and hills, the valley marshes are alive with songbirds, insects and frogs; stork nests adorn the roofs of the picturesque villages and towns, and cows contentedly munch the lush grass of high meadow pastures.
We experience the Vosges from spring through autumn, in all kinds of weather – as a habitat into which man’s traditions have been introduced harmoniously and the wilderness still finds space of its own. The Vosges – a nature paradise of rugged beauty.
THE BLACK FOREST
Wilderness with a View
ZDF/Arte (2010), 43 min.
Breathtaking scenery, centuries-old traditions and a wealth of fauna – Germany’s highest low mountain range has much more to offer than just traditional bobbled hats and cuckoo clocks. The Black Forest is a nature idyll in the heart of Europe.
In a series of highly atmospheric images, the film portrays the richness of nature in the Black Forest. It illustrates how roe deer, stags, birds and other wildlife flourish in the lushness of early autumn, how they survive the harsh, snowy winter, and their joy at the awakening of spring.
We experience a Black Forest in which nature plays a prominent role, and man has found ways to unite harmoniously the traditional with the modern in many areas.
THE EUROPEAN WILD CAT
Secret Predator without Borders
NDR Naturfilm (2010), 43 min.
The European wild cat is ostensibly familiar to us, as we assume to have an exact copy on our couches at home. But no wild cat has ever been tamed. Its life is a secret well kept - hidden away in the forests of the European continent.
But even though they are hard to find, wild cats were wiped out almost entirely over the last centuries. Hunters accused them of preying on the precious chicks of future Christmas turkeys and hunters don’t like competition. Even worse, as agricultural cultivation progressed, the wild cat lost most of it its natural habitat: Large deciduous and mixed forests on which the reclusive predator relies on for its wide-stretching forays.
Today the wild cat has become a symbol of conservation throughout Europe and fortunately great efforts are undertaken for its shelter. Slowly and secretly the wild cat is reclaiming its legitimate place in our European forests.
CHILIES TO THE RESCUE!
Easing the Human-elephant Conflict
ZDF/ARTE (2010), 50 min.
Finalist at the Wildlife Vaasa International Film Festival 2010, Finland
Protection measures and 20years of prohibition of the ivory trade are making an impact: Almost all countries in Africa are reporting a rise in elephant numbers. In the past two decades, the population of these grey giants doubled to over 30.000, alone in the Safari-Paradise of Kenya. At the same time the population of humans is growing. Man and elephant require space. Conflicts between both are unavoidable and the survival of the biggest land mammal is again endangered.
The battle between humans and elephants is getting more grisly and costlier. Some countries react with culling, a worldwide controversial method. The goal of most countries is not to kill but to discourage the elephants from raiding the fields. Guile and wile are asked for. Conservationists and gamekeepers of Africa are researching new methods to manage the jumbos: especially chilli peppers seem very promising as the elephants’ long trunks are very sensitive to the hot spice. But the question remains: Is there any chance for a permanent and peaceful coexistence of humans and elephants? How many elephants can the African continent handle?
CARAVAN OF THE BOOKS
Kenya’s Mobile Camel Library
ZDF/ARTE (2010), 50 min.
2nd prize for the „Best Story“ at the Natur Vision Film Festival 2010 in Neuschönau, Germany
A library on four legs – the world's only existing Camel Library is located in Northern Kenya. As they pass antelopes and giraffes, the heavily loaded caravan of camels are routinely carrying books through the rough savannah.
In the villages with their houses of mud and dung these tenacious desert ships are wishfully awaited by the people of the nomadic Muslim tribes. Under the shade of acacia trees, especially the children are excitedly turning pages of school books, novels and comics. However, 400 kilometers outside of the capital city of Nairobi the local librarians are still struggling with illiteracy, old traditions, insufficient funds, blistering sun and – stubborn camels… This is the story about the Camel Library, about inquisitive children, about the origins of a book and about a camel and an exceptional librarian in the heart of Africa within the UNESCO-world decade of alphabetization.
OPERATION DEEP SEA
Shedding Light in the Darkness
ZDF/ARTE (2008), 52 min.
This thrilling documentary shows the fascinating explorations of international scientists to the unknown depths of our oceans. How do the deep seas influence our climate? What kind of creatures can survive here? Will we be able to harvest the vast treasures on the seabed? In a world of dwindling resources and a changing environment, we must learn more about the element that makes this planet a blue one.
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THE MYTH OF WOLVES
MDR/Arte (2007), 43 min.
The wolf is back! In Eastern Germany, near Berlin, four packs of wolves have made themselves at home. About 12 years ago hunters and biologist found the first tracks. They didn’t look like anything they would normally find in the local areas of brown coal open pit mining and military training. The tracks belong to an animal that used to be quite common in Germany and elsewhere in Europe – a wolf. Disbelieve was quickly followed by fear. Are we to be afraid? Is the safety of our children at stake? What if the tale of Little Red Riding Hood is for real?
Now the wolf is back for real. This time it is hunters that fear this rather strong competitor invading their territory. They use the wolf’s bad reputation to rally against his return. Like in olden times, shepherds fear for their live stock. In 2002 a herd of sheep was decimated by 27 and even today there are some losses, despite big dogs and electronic fences. Ancient problems in our modern age. The wolf is back – for good?[more]
THE MYTH OF SHEEP
MDR/Arte (2007), 43 min.
Woolly, white - the embodiment of peace and tranquillity. Since ancient times it feeds us, it dresses us and it sacrifices itself for us – the sheep. In every herd you’ll find innocent lambs next to the proverbial black sheep. The world’s oldest live stock, it is deeply intertwined with our culture and mythology.
Helmut Lenz is a shepherd. Every day, from spring to fall he pastures his flock in the idyllic landscape of the German Harz region. Together with his dog Annie he keeps his 300 sheep in line. The agricultural engineer has always been fascinated by the interaction between dog, herd and shepherd. His profession is his passion. But the flock of sheep in a flower covered meadow is not just an idyllic sight to him. His work throughout the seasons is not always easy: cool spring days, hot summer afternoons and spectacular rainstorms – Helmut Lenz is with his herd. No time for the proverbial “amorous téte à téte” shepherds in earlier days were known and famous for.
THE MYTH OF CATS
(43 min.)
MDR/Arte (2007)
Loved, hated, adored and bedevilled – hardly any other animal combines as many contradictions. And yet the cat is the most popular domestic animal in Europe. Even though it is said to be stubborn, double-faced and a cruel predator – for most of us it is a useful roommate or simply a purring pet.
This film accompanies the catty cast of a an animal training school. These cats go on stage at the opera, appear in movies or in TV Studios. Animal trainers Tatjana Zimek and Mike Bauer have been working with cats for more than 20 years. How can you get a cat to cooperate with you? An art these two trainers have mastered. With their passion for the animals comes the patience needed to train strong willed cats.
But what is it, that fascinates us about the cat? Is it their eerie skills, like seeing in the dark and always landing on their four feet? Is it their intelligence, praised in many fairy tales and legends? Is it that we admire their strength, speed and elegance? Or do we feel attracted by her proud independence? Maybe that is what makes their unenforceable affection so precious to us. Whatever it is - cats continue to be the most mysterious of pets.[more]
MADAGASCAR
Mystical- Magical- Memorable
WWF, KFW, Angap (2006), 45 min.
Madagascar is a country of marvels. Fantastic landscapes, bizarre flora and fauna, and people infused with a deep cultural and spiritual love for nature, which is shaped by animal legends, myths, taboos and ancestor worship. Add to that the characteristically good temper of the inhabitants and it is little wonder that more and more ecotourists and independent travelers are being drawn to that fascinating island.
BIKINI-ATOLL
Paradise Restricted
ZDF/Arte, Context TV (2006), 43 min.
The islands of Bikini rose from the sea many million years ago, and in the course of time survived countless natural catastrophes. But what does it look like today, 50 years after the destruction wrought by nuclear testing?
Generating German Versions of 100 hours of programming for Off the Fence.
Partial list of series adapted for the German market:
Tierisch Extrem
(The Most Extreme, NHNZ, 32 x 45min)
Shark Gordon
(Shark Gordon, NHNZ, 14 x 25min)
Gefahrenplatz Tiefsee
(The Deep, Oxford Television, 3 x 50min)[more]
THE MYTH OF HORSES
All the World's Happiness...
MDR/Arte (2006), 43 min.
The horse – starring in countless myths, sagas and legends. Magic horse, lucky charm or harbinger of death. But above all it is a true, reliable friend, consort of great conquerors and noble knights – few other animals are equally close to man.
Legendary equines as depicted by medieval storytellers have ever since kindled the imagination of poets and writers. The unicorn is considered the noblest of mythical creatures, symbolizing all that is good and pure. A mare with her foal at her side, on a green meadow, represents freedom and the yearning for intact nature.
Yet horses are by no means only serene by nature. Watching horses attack each other during spectacular stallion fights, their raucous neighing, nostrils wide open and front hooves high up, makes their proverbial strength become alarmingly real.
The tremendous strength and stamina of horses turned them into motors of civilization. Farm hacks, war steeds, and coach horses brought us forward. They allowed us to access new environments and formed the basis of modern communication.[more]
THE MYTH OF EAGLES
Gift of Heaven
MDR/Arte (2006), 43 min.
Weightless, sharp-eyed and heroic. For thousands of years, myths have grown around the largest European bird of prey, the eagle. The Germanic peoples named their children after the bird: Arnd und Arnulf ( Aar ). After Christianization, eagles have been taken as symbols for rejuvenation and resurrection. The Greeks already idolized them as heavenly messengers; the Romans bore them on their standards, as a symbol of power. American Indians adorned themselves with the feathers of the almighty bird. To this day, many great nations, including the USA, Mexico, Poland, Austria and Germany, bear the eagle in their coats of arms.
What do people find fascinating about eagles? The documentary follows Kirghizian hunters hawking with wild eagles. It traces the birds in the library of a researcher on fables and fairy tales. A heraldist illustrates the abuse that this German iconic bird was subjected to by the Nazis, for propaganda purposes. The film is a journey through history, illuminating many aspects of the ever-changing relationship between mankind and the mighty bird, and of that myth of the eagle.
THE MYTH OF BEARS
Teddy's Bigger Brothers
MDR/Arte (2006), 43 min.
Teddy bears are among the favorite presents: Most of us, probably everyone, have once been given such a cuddly fellow. Adults love to give it to children – possibly because it reminds them of their own childhood. It was teddy who always listened knowingly, and who never told on us. But how did the bear's image of cuddliness arise?
It may be difficult to name another wild animal as popular as the bear – and dreaded as much. Admired for its strength, beloved for its seeming clumsiness and hunted because of its unpredictable attacks. But who really is the brown bear?
Germanic peoples considered it the king of animals. Because of its courage, it was a personification of war spirit. First names like Bernd and Bernhard, but also Ursula, from the Latin term "ursus", are derived from it. People are hungry and strong as a bear. Many coats of arms display the animal. In the wild, it had long been wiped out.
But now there are bears that may again be bears. Today, the teddy bear's models live in the large outdoor grounds of the Bear Parkin Worbis. Some of them used to be kennel bears, others circus bears. The film traces the myth and reality of the Bruin. It investigates the relationship of bear and man over many centuries.
ADDICTED TO FLIGHT
DocLab, National Geographic Channel (2006), 52 min.
World champion hang-glider Angelo D´Arrigo is preparing for the zenith of his extreme sports career. He trains rigorously and is in top physical condition. He practices a special breathing technique that will allow him to ascend to extreme altitudes, where a pilot would normally only survive for a few minutes without pressurized oxygen. He tests his endurance in a hypobaric chamber that re-creates the dangerous conditions that await him. And he designs an experimental new set of wings that will support his flight in rarified air. In December, Angelo and a team of technicians, doctors and meteorologists travel to South America, to the slopes of Andes. There they wait and watch for the right meteorological window that will create strong, rising currents of air. Then, in what seems like a moment of inspired madness, Angelo and his glider will ride these thermals up among the mountain peaks, where under normal circumstances lack of oxygen quickly brings on unconsciousness and death, and where a sudden gust of wind or a storm can turn an adventure into a tragedy. The crowning achievement of his flight will free-flying without supplementary oxygen or a motor over Mount Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas (23,000 feet), and setting a new world first. DocLab is recording this unprecedented event, from its very inception until the moment when Angelo makes his final aerial ascent.
CONDORMAN
SWR, DocLab (2005), 3x 5 min.
Three short films about a man and his passion: Angelo d´Arrigo (†) pilot, scientist and world-record breaker in hang-gliding facing his last successful challange to learn to fly like a condor.
Part 1: Angelo and his passion for flying
Part 2: Angelo and the condor
Part 3: Obsessed on flying
SQUIDS
Hunting for the White Gold
ZDF/Arte (2005), 52 min.
Squids – arcane creatures from the depths of the sea. They are related to shells and snails, yet their brains and eyes are as highly developed as those of mammals. They are most commonly known as octopus, cuttlefish, calamari, and we find them as fancy food on our menus.
But their habitat is the sea around southern Africa. Along the Tsitsikamma coast ( The Place of Clear Waters ), some 80 kilometers long, one can witness a fascinating natural spectacle: Once every year, in November and December, hundreds of thousands of calamari migrate into the shallow coastal waters, in order to mate and spawn. At the bottom of the sea they lay countless egg strands, resembling algae, wherein the next squid generation will grow. Then they disappear again in the depths of the oceans, and die only a few months later.
Full of spectacular underwater shots, the documentary shows the hidden and largely unknown life of these delicate sea dwellers.[more]
THE WHITE DIAMOND
NDR-Naturfilm, NHK, BBC (2004), 87 min.
The Marco-Polo-Film team joins Werner Herzog for an adventurous expedition through the Guyanan primeval forests, where the cameraman rises above the tree tops with a new type of helium-powered two-seat airship - THE WHITE DIAMOND – and delivers stunning scenes from the peaks of the pristine forest, never filmed before.
The magic world of the canopy in a tropical rain forest was the pivotal point of the dramatic friendship between the aviation engineer Dr. Graham Dorrington and the world-famous wildlife photographer and cameraman Dieter Plage. Yet during their first airship expedition, Dieter Plage tragically lost his life. The experience has been haunting Graham Dorrington ever since.Now, 11 years later, he intends to fulfill his friend's legacy by starting a new and daring attempt to investigate the top levels of the rain forest.
For Dorrington the journey to Guyana turns into a painful confrontation with his past; he has been struggling with feelings of guilt ever since Plage's fatal plunge from the airship. At the same time, the expedition turns out to be a major logistic effort: transporting dozens of helium gas cylinders plus a filigree airship into a far-off jungle region holds numerous risks and dangers, but one is rewarded with vistas of marvelous beauty.[more]
FLYING FOX
Wings of the Night
ZDF (2004), 52 min.
Wiruungga is a reporter from a small radio station at the Australian eastcoast. He is also an Aboriginal Australian and his totem is the Flying Fox. So he is out to research not only for his radio program but even more so for himself.
He moves to a flying fox camp in a suburb near Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. Here, around 400,000 fruit bats sleep day by day in the trees. Wiruungga learns that the world of the flying foxes is full of wondrous and peculiar things. They hang quite casually in the trees, heads down, fast asleep in broad daylight, sometimes supporting themselves by no more than a toe. At night they swarm out in their thousands and search for ripe fruit and fresh blossoms. They are the only mammals to have truly mastered the art of flying, and clearly they have solved all of the problems that arise when the world is turned on its head.Wiruungga lives with the flying foxes in their colony, learns about them and remembers stories about them from the Dreaming. In the end he finds his own truth which lies between science and his dreaming. In his cave he finally connects with his totem by dancing the Flying Fox Dance.[more]
THE PET AND THE BEAST
100 Years of Natural History Perception
ZDF/Arte, ARD regional programmes (2004), 52 min.
For over a century now, filmmakers have been heading into the wilderness in the hopes of captivating audiences around the world with spectacular footage of animals. Perhaps no other medium has changed our view of nature so profoundly as has the nature film. The opposite is true as well. Nature films are also historical documents. And they tell us a lot about the relationship between man and animal.
WILD EUROPEANS
VOX (2004), 4x 28 min.
Four portraits of European landscapes and their natural inhabitants.
1) The Cold North
2) The Hot South
3) Nature Without Bounds
4) The Wild East
FANTASTIC CREATURES
WDR (2004) 12x 5 min.
Twelve 5 minute portraits of animals for WDR /Tier hoch Vier.
FANTASTIC CREATURES
The Sea Horse
Germany/ Australia (2003), 5 min.
The world of the sea horse.
A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
Arte (2001), 28 min.
Felled trees, dammed streams and flooded fields. Beavers have conquered Bavaria. Once extinct, then reintroduced, today over 5000 of Europe's largest rodent are alive and kicking on the Danube and its tributaries. With increasing frequency they find their way into sewage plants, gravel pits and rapeseed fields. The damage they cause affects foresters and farmers, who make loud calls to see the furry builders culled. A beaver manager tours the area now to arbitrate between the rodents and the farmers. He counters prejudices with sound arguments, places trees in safety behind gratings, and if necessary even catches the beavers. These are then taken several times a year to Romania, where they are set free.
Reporter Herbert Ostwald follows the beaver manager on his unusual mission through the beaver lands of Bavaria.
STRANGLER FIGS
The Deadly Grasp
NDR Naturfilm (2000), 43 min.
Murder in the plant kingdom. A rather unusual event? Not at all. Everyone knows the culprit, the plant that does precisely this thousands of times a year. Because that popular indoor plant, the Weeping fig, is also one of the strangler figs. But fear not, nobody could keep still long enough to get strangled by it - it takes decades before the deed is finally done.
A fictive journey takes us far back into the past. An ancient drama enfolds and is captured in spectacular pictures by the Marco Polo film team. The intriguing life of a strangler fig in the pristine rain forests of Australia and the intricate connections it sustains with the animals is asking for careful observation by the audience. The wildlife cinematographers Annette and Klaus Scheurich were opening themselves to the fascination of the jungle. They were digging deep searching high and low to get to the root of the strangler figs intriguing and successful approach to life.
THE MONKEY ALLIANCE
ARD/NDR (1999), 43 min.
The Taï National Park in the Ivory Coast is home to a wide range of fascinating species of monkey. Not without reason is the area regarded worldwide as one of the most important areas for rain forest research.
But the forest is not simply a paradise for them, for it also harbors many dangers. The monkeys live under constant threat from leopards, crown eagles, snakes and chimpanzees; and poachers who often make life ever harder for them. Our film sets out to show how the monkeys move about their habitat and deal with the various threats. One of the most interesting strategies for warding off enemies is the formation of alliances between different species of monkey. This allows predators to be spotted earlier, and everyone to react quicker.
Time and again researchers discover new, surprising patterns of behavior. But there are only a few areas left where monkeys can be studied in their natural surroundings.
The Taï National Park offers this possibility. The primates are able to live undisturbed here in one of the last large rain forests, and to provide us in this film with an informative look at life inside one of the last untouched jungles of West Africa.
THE YEAR OF THE HAMSTER
ZDF (1999), 28 min.
One of Germany's last colonies of common hamsters has survived in the fields flanking the autobahn between Heidelberg and Mannheim. Since 1984 they have been on the red list of animals threatened with extinction.
The common hamster is an aggressive loner who knows how to put up a fight - so things can get pretty turbulent during the mating season. This film shows not only their battle to survive in the industrial landscape, but also takes us far underground into their nesting chambers and granaries, where they lead their secretive lives and weather the harsh winter two meters beneath the surface.
THE ENCHANTED FOREST OF THE PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS
ARD/NDR (1998), 43 min.
One of the most mysterious animals to inhabit the jungle is the pygmy hippopotamus - up to 300 kg in weight, just 2 meters long, and 80 cm tall, and a true loner. Since its discovery in 1844, generations of researchers have attempted to study it in the wild - but in vain. Although it proved possible to catch a few specimens for zoos, no one ever got to see them before they were already inside the trap. They eluded the gaze of the researchers like phantoms under the protection of the enchanted forest.
These are the first ever pictures of pygmy hippopotami in their natural surroundings - the rain forest of West Africa. Set amid stories about their habitat, the film allows a first impression of this timid creature's life. While their ten-times heavier relatives are loud and gregarious and live in open stretches of water, the pygmy hippopotamus moves furtively through the thick undergrowth, quietly and softly avoiding every possible encounter, whether with the noisy monkeys or with the wide range of animals that live hidden in the forest floor.
The jungle here fills the viewer with awe: an awe at the creative power of nature, which still has so many secrets left to reveal, both large and small.[more]
KOALA DREAMS
ARD/NDR International (1997), 52 min.
A Koala has plenty of time to dream. He spends the greater part of the day high up in the air in a eucalyptus tree, fast asleep. But sometimes he moves about with enormous agility, climbs around like an acrobat, fights with astonishing ferocity, and goes in for pretty boisterous mating rites. And when he announces his claims to his territory, his booming voice echoes through the forest like thunder.
His principle food, eucalyptus leaves, is far too poisonous for the majority of animals and lacks enough sustenance for them. Despite this, the ancient eucalyptus forests provide a home for many different animals. Most importantly for this, the forests contain a plentiful supply of hollows and cavities that have been created over the centuries by termites, drought, fire, wind and water.
Set amid the myths and legends of the Aboriginal "Dreamtime", these tales from the eucalyptus forest convey far more than the isolated biological facts about this habitat. They show that the eucalyptus forest is more than the sum of its parts: an ecosystem, a majestic unity, a part of the Dreamtime.
SAVE THE WEST AFRICAN FORESTS
IVORY COAST/ GTZ (1995)
6 Documentaries on nature protection and sustainable use of the rain forests.
AMAZONIAN RIVER WOLVES
PERU (1993), 45 min.
The Manu National Park is one of the last retreats of the giant otter. It is two meters in length and used to be found all over the Amazonas region. The two zoologists Elke Staib and Christof Schenck spent three years studying the giant otters. This film, produced in 1992 under most difficult conditions, features the life of giant otters and the work of the two biologists.
TRANS AFRICA WITH KID AND CAMERA
SWF (1991), 4x 45 min.
Trans Africa, from Marocco cross-continent to CapeTown 1989-1991.
Klaus , Annette and Steffen had a dream: crossing the African continent from north to south, from Gibraltar to the Cape of Good Hope. Traveling with two off-road vehicles equipped for filming they went for it. One year old son Peter came along for the trip. The journey was successful and so is the documentary. An animated portray of the life on the road (or off-road respectively), landscapes, wildlife and encounters with indigenous people throughout the whole of the Dark Continent.
1.) Through the Desert
2.) From the Sahel into the Jungle
3.) From the Rwenzori Mountains to the Sambesi
4.) From Okavango to the Cape
