As if Filmmaking by itself wouldn’t be difficult enough, the Art of Archeological Filmmaking takes it to another level. On the one hand a serious science wants to be respected but in the audio-visual madness of our times filmmakers seems to be forced to constantly look for new and innovative ways to present their subject in the most entertaining way. In a fast Tour de Force through Italy, Egypt, the US and Germany this film presents a few examples seen through the eyes of a not entirely serious young media student. Archeological films as video clips? Why not!
Scientific or analytical films are often in danger of being overloaded with text and to use pictures as mere illustrations. And the oh so fashionable story-driven documentaries, which show the Archaeologist as a brave and fearless treasure-hunter, have become a bit redundant. So now it’s mainly the most unusual and original discovery stories who succeed. The heroes don’t have to be necessarily professional Archaeologists and could even be a bunch of amateurs.
The conclusion: What you always need is a dramatic, exciting and convincing story. Drama sells! Romance sells! Sex sells! And let’s not forget: one off the major misconception about Archaeology is that it only studies the past. But Archaeology could study anything a society will leave behind…
- Direction: JESSICA & RALPH STROEHLE
- Production: RALPH STROEHLE (SCHARZFILM), I. TUMULTY (ECHO-FILM)
