The Story
Forests are far more complex than previously imagined – as revealed in Rita Schlamberger’s latest film, “Making an Ancient Forest “.
The documentary, filmed in 4K, travels deep into the remote forests of the Kalkalpen National Park in Austria – the largest area of wilderness in the Alps. Abandoned and unmanaged by man for close to a quarter of a century, the forest’s dramatic cycle of growth and decay now rules the landscape. What appears at first to be devastation and destruction is in fact part of the fundamental process of the forest’s regeneration and transformation back to its natural, primeval state.
The film, three years in the making, reveals the highly complex partnerships among plants, insects and animals, as well as the evolutionary creativity and intelligence of trees as they communicate with one another and respond to moment-by-moment stimuli. Their genius is attributed to one of the greatest collaborations in the history of life: a partnership with fungi.
One of the most salient changes in the forest is however, the return of the lynx. After 115 years of absence, the feline’s illusive presence is a testimony to nature’s power of revival and a reassurance that the bold conservation efforts in the National Park are slowly, but surely, contributing to Making an Ancient Forest.
2013 - 2015
4K & 5.1
16:9
52min
German & English
Production Team
Written by Jan Hošek, Rita Schlamberger ● Directed by Rita Schlamberger ● Photographed by Jiři Petr, Michael Schlamberger ● Additional Photography Vaclav Šena, Rudolf Dobesberger, Mario Cater, Rolando Menardi ● Aerial Photography Irmin Kerck, Christian Bernutz ● Editors Andrew Naylor, Omer Sacic ● CGI & Compositing Omer Sacic ● Music composed by Alexander Bresgen ● Written by Michael Schlamberger ● Narrated by Andrew Solomon ● Chief Scientific Advisor Lubomír Hlásek ● Scientific Advisors Martin Schwarz, Erich Weigand, Heinz Forstinger, Heinz Mitter, Axel Schopf, Oldřich Hlásek ● Foley Artists Stanislav Caithaml, Jana Částková, Milan Jakl ● Sound Design & Dubbing Mixes Martin Rohrmoser ● Colourist Willi Willinger ● Production Manager Anita Pfeffinger ● Executive Producer Michael Schlamberger
Thanks to Erich Mayrhofer, Christian Fuxjäger, Václav Hlaváč, Franz Kettenhummer, Michael Kirchweger, Andreas Kranz, Christer Larssen, Dick Liljegren, Jiři Marek, Lambert Micelli, Petr Mükstejn, Herbert Jungwirth/ ÖAV Molln, Vladimír Petr /Apodemus Center Prag, Hartmann Pölz, Franz Sieghartsleitner, Walter Stecher, Bernhard Sulzbacher, Radek Všetečka, Vladimír Zadražil
A co-production of ScienceVision and Nationalpark Kalkalpen, in association with Österreichische Bundesforste, supported by Ministerium für ein Lebenswertes Österreich, Land Oberösterreich and Europäischer Landwirtschaftsfond für die Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums LE 07-13.
Photo Gallery
Awards
International Jahorina Eco&Tourfilm Festival 2015
Bosnia & Herzegovina, August 2015, Nomination “Environmental Film”
13th Matsalu International Naturfilm Festival
Estonia, September 2015, Award „Highly Commended Diploma“ category „Nature“
Jury Statement: An inspiring film with stunning photography that has the power to captivate the viewer straight from the start.
Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards 2015
France, October 2015, Gold Winner category TV docu: Natur, Umwelt und Ökologie
13th Internationales Bergfilm-Festival Tegernsee
Germany, October 2015, Nomination category „Naturraum Berg“
Life Sciences Film Festival 2015
October 2015, Czech Republic, Winner „Student Jury Award“
Jury Statement: The jury awards the prize for a gripping presentation of natural mechanisms that, if given the chance, can literally do miracles.
Innsbruck Nature Film Festival,
Austria, October 2015, Winner Special Prize „Best Camera“
Jury Statement: Dem Kameramann gelingt es Stimmungen einer Naturlandschaft einzufangen, die bezaubernd und spektakulär sind. Dynamische Jagdszenen der Waldbewohner halten den Film kurzweilig. Das Zusammenspiel von Realszenen mit integrierten Animationen ist äußerst raffiniert und lässt den Zuschauer in eine magische Welt eintauchen.
Mountainfilm Graz 2015
Austria, November 2015, Camera Alpin in Gold, Category „Natur & Umwelt“
Jury Statement: Rita Schlamberger counts among the most important filmmakers of the genre, also on an international level. The genuine rhythm and the gorgeous pictures of nature allow the audience to enter into worlds which would not ever have been expected in close neighbourhood. „Making an Ancient Forest“ is, as well, a strong plea for leaving nature to its inherent beauty and variety, created all alone.
Sichuan TV Festival 2015
China, November 2015, Gold Panda “Best Cinematography”
Jury Statement: With grand scientific vision and delicate and beautiful scenes, this documentary perfectly shows the magnificent beauty of the nature and wisdom of human through the skillful use of light and shadow, composition and colors, along with rhythmic images full of tension and passion.
This is a masterpiece representing the magnificent beauty of the nature. It features fantastic shots and provides people with a feast for the eyes with the high standard that it has attained to in terms of picture composition, use of light and colors.
Ekofilmfestival
Czech Republic, December 2015, 1st place category „Heritage“ & special price of „Mr. President of MFF EKOFILM“
Jaipur International Film Festival
India, January 2016, Winner “Green Rose”
Santa Barbara Film Festival
USA, January 2016, Nomination
Internationales Bergfilmfestival Domzale
Slovenia, Februar 2016, „Mountain Nature and Culture Films – Honorable Mention“
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
USA, März 2016, Nomination
3rd Annual Back to Nature Film Fest
USA, März 2016, Honorable Mention FEATURES category
Festival de l’Oiseau et de la Nature
France, April 2016, Nomination
51st International Festival of Science Documentary Films Olomouc
Czech Republic, April 2016, Nomination
ITSA Filmfestival “Back to Nature Film Festival”
USA, April 2016, “Honorable Mention FEATURES category”
International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula
USA, April 2016, Nomination
Envirofilm/Ekotopfilm – International Festival of Sustainable Development Films
Slovak Republic, May 2016, “Main Prize in Category B- Nature and Natural Science” (Prize of the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic)
Jury Statement: ‘Making an Ancient Forest is a detailed description of a unique and exciting wilderness environment. The informative description of this rare environment is enhanced by rich and vibrant visuals. This is the kind of film that leaves viewers wanting to know what the future holds for this forest.”
BANFF Media Festival „Rocky Awards“
Canada, June 2016 Nomination category „Environmental & Wildlife“
Shanghai Television Festival
China, June 2016, Nomination Magnolia Award
Deauville Green Festival
France, June 2016, Winner “Special Award of the students of l‘Ecole des Métiers de l‘environnement (EME)“
NaturVision Filmfestival
Germany, July 2016 Winner „NaturVision Kamerapreis“
“WIIFF” (Wolves Independent International Film Festival)
Lithuania, August 2016, Nomination
Green Screen International Film Festival
Germany, September 2016, Winner “Best Film” and “Best Postproduction”
Laudatio „Bester Film“: Nur selten gelingt es Filmemachern ein so stimmungsvolles Gesamtkunstwerk zu schaffen. Die einzelnen Instrumente des Werks – Bildgestaltung, souveräne Nachbearbeitung, packende Erzählweise – wirken so virtuos zusammen, dass eine filmische Sinfonie entsteht. Wo die Natur selbst Regie führt, beginnt wieder ein dramatischer Kreislauf von Werden und Vergehen. Den Machern gelingt es, Tiefverborgenes aufzudecken: Wenn Käfer Kriege führen, Pflanzen Warnrufe verschicken und Pilze nach ihrem Tod zu leben beginnen, dann gelingt das Kunststück Poesie und Wissensgewinn elegant miteinander zu verbinden. „Zurück zum Urwald – Nationalpark Kalkalpen“ ist eine Erfolgsgeschichte.
Laudatio „Beste Postproduktion“: Eine gute Postproduktion zeichnet sich aus durch das perfekte Zusammenspiel von Bildmontage, Timing und Ausdruck von Sprache und Musik und dem Sounddesign. Sie ist für den Erfolg des Films genauso unverzichtbar wie eine spannende Kamera oder eine brillante Geschichte. Und wenn dann noch das Unfilmbare erlebbar wird, verdanken wir das einer außergewöhnlich guten Animation. Wir dringen mit dem Bohrgestänge der Schlupfwespe in das Innere des Baums, reisen mit hauchdünnen Pilzfäden tief ins Totholz und wir verlieren uns im Labyrinth des Borkenkäfers.
SILA Fest, Silver Lake Tourfilm Festival
Serbia, September 2016, “WHITE ACACIA Best Original Score” and “Silver Wave for the best Eco Film of Festival”
Wildlife Filmfestival Vaasa 2016
Finland, September 2016, Winner category “Natural History”
Jury Statement: A presentation about a complex forest area situated in Europe’s vast alpine region.
The story takes the viewer deep within to discover the splendour of the flora and fauna using 4k cinematographic technology that is supported by and excellent sound track.
Woodpecker International Film Festival
India, September 2016, Nomination
Ekotopfilm – International Festival of Sustainable Development Films
Czech Republic, October 2016, Nomination
10th International Science Film Festival Athen
Greece, October 2016, Winner “Best Film”
Jury Statement: Because this film shows an immense quality of images, sound music and rhythm. It has a relevant theme for this year’s festival(environment)
Namur Nature Festival
Belgium, October 2016, Nomination
International Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival
Malaysia, October 2016, Nomination „Best Feature Film / Full-length Documentary”
Sondrio International Film Festival
Italy, November 2016, “Stelvio National Park Award”
Jury Statement: The documentary was filmed within a National Park in an ancient, mysterious forest that is still live and vibrant. Illustrated with outstanding photography, excellent time-lapse and creative animation. Told in scientific terms translated into a poetic text. Well-narrated, containing intellectual and emotional connections from a sense of an inter-active eco-system within the forest. The important message this film conveys is protecting wilderness in National Parks
“Achille Berbenni” Award assigned by the Audience Jury
Jury Statement: The principle of Lavoiser that “everything transforms” is confirmed in the primordial forests of the Kalkalpen National Park in Austria. Nature’s revenge over humankind is what brings the forest back to its original primordial state, after nearly a quarter of a century. Coherent, effective, well-balanced sequences and dialogues make this documentary that of a perfect symphony capable of astonishing its audience. The documentary highlights the current issue of the re-birth of an environment that often is damaged and destroyed by human beings. It is a documentary that makes you stop and think, enhanced by an excellent soundtrack and good production techniques.
Menigoute Filmfestival
France, November 2016, Nomination
International Green Culture Festival “Green Fest”
Serbia, November 2016, Nomination
Waimea Ocean Film Festival
January 2017, Hawaii, USA, Best Film Cinematography
Festival du Film animalier d’Albert
France, March 2017, Special Award for Best Picture & Special Award for Best Sound
New York Festivals World’s Best TV & Films
April 2017, USA, „Gold World Medal Award” category “Nature & Wildlife”
International Wlodzimierz Puchalski Nature Film Festival Lodz
Poland, June 2017, “President of the Polish Filmmakers Association Award”
Thüringer Naturfilmtage
March 2017, Germany, 2nd Place
Shanghai International Green Film Week
China, August 2017, Winner “Best Educational Value Award”
CMS VATAVARAN – International Film Festival and Forum on Environment & Wildlife
India, November 2017, Winner category “Wildlife Conservation”
Jury Statement: A visual treat, this movie captures the beauty of nature figuratively through the eyes of plants and animals. The excellent time-lapse photography does complete justice to the exuberance of Mother Nature.
JWFF 2017 (Japan Wildlife Filmfestival)
Japan, April 2018, Cinematography Award
Jury Statement: The regenerative power of nature, and the unfathomable harmony created by the ecology of the forest is a testament to nature doing better without mans interference. The profoundly shot images full of texture, makes us feel as though we can smell the forest from our screens. We bow down to the filmmaking team for the high-level filmmaking stills, and the awe-inspiring cinematography that has grabbed the hearts of the audience.
Emmy (The National Academy of Television – Arts & Sciences”
USA, October 2018, Nomination “Documentation – Best Cinematography”
Cinema Forest Film Festival
Italy, November 2018, ERSAF Special Prize
Natourale Film Festival
Germany, December 2018, Honorable Mention in GOLD
Orobie Film Festival
Italy, January 2019, Nomination