Danube – Europe’s Amazon

The two-part series "Danube - Europe's Amazon" reveals the unknown side of a world-famous river that has shaped a whole continent. Over a period of two years, the Science Vision team travelled 90,000 kilometres and spent 481 days on location, returning with over 400 hours of material. Only two hours will be included in the finished series.

Part 1: From the Black Forest to the Black Sea

Originating in Germany's Black Forest, the Danube travels almost three thousand kilometres to the delta on the Romanian/Ukrainian Black Sea coast. Passing through ten countries and four major cities, the Danube is the most international river in the world. Part 1 of "Danube - Europe's Amazon" follows the river from the origin to the delta. Never before has the nature of this mighty river been captured so exquisitely. This two-part series reveals the unknown side of a world-famous river that has shaped a whole continent. Over a period of two years, the Science Vision team travelled 90,000 kilometres and spent 481 days on location, returning with over 400 hours of material. Only two hours will be included in the finished series.

Part 2: Forest, Floods, Frost

From its romantic shores, its wild nature to its baroque art, the fascination of the Danube is inescapable. As the Danube flows through its various landscapes, it transforms. Part 2 of "Danube - Europe's Amazon" shows how the river is influenced by weather and climatic extremes. The Danube is in constant motion. Floods and drought determine life on the great river just as much as the seasons. They influence migration, mating and breeding, as well as hunting and hibernation. Wherever the Danube flows, it impacts nature and people's lives. An epic journey of discovery into the continent’s unknown wild lands, the film shows how the river’s famous currents helped sculpt the incredible landscapes, and it links them together.

Camera: Jiri Petr, Michael Schlamberger
Written & directed by: Rita &Michael Schlamberger
Produktion: ScienceVision

Technical details: 2012 I 2x 52min I HD I 5.1 & stereo I German & English

A co-production of ORF/UNIVERSUM, ScienceVision, NDR Naturfilm and BR, in association with ARTE and ICPDR.

Excerpt main festival awards:

• CINE Golden Eagle Festival, USA, September 2012, Golden Eagle Award Kategorie "Environment und Natural Science"
• Telenatura, Spain, October 2012,"Best Film - City of Pamplona Award"
• Wildlife Filmfestival Vaasa, November 2012, Finland, "Certificate of Merit – Best Natural History Film"
• Envirofilm Festival Slovakia, June 2013, "Prize of the Head of the Banská Bystrica"
• Jackson Hole Wildlife Filmfestival USA, September 2013, Nomination "Best Wildlife Habitat Program"
• Matsalu Nature Film Festival Estonia, September 2013, 1st Place category "Nature"
• Cannes Corporate Media & TV Award, France, October 2013, "Gold Dolphin" category "Environment & Ecology"
• Menigoute Filmfestival France, November 2013, "Prix Paul Géroudet"