Congo - River of Monsters (working title)
TV production, NDR/WDR/ARTE/ NAT GEO (44'')

"The river that swallows all other rivers" - this is how the natives call it. In fact, the Congo River, in terms of water volume, is the Earth´s second largest river. With its tributaries it drains a huge basin five times bigger than Germany, a giant tropical rainforest with an incredible biodiversity. The two-part documentary follows the Congo from its source in Northern Zambia to its estuary into the Atlantic Ocean - 4700 kilometers through breathtaking landscapes and nearly impenetrable jungle. On the way Thomas Behrend and his team discover the exceptional fauna and learn about the influence the river has had on the evolution of many animals. Only the vast stream separates our closest relatives, the Bonobos and the Chimpanzees, as a result they developed different behavior patterns. In depths up to 200 meters live blind fishes and other strange looking species, all adapted to a life in total darkness. Many of the animals in or near the Congo River are endemic, found nowhere else in the world - uniqueness Thomas Behrend and his team is going to discover using new camera technologies. By using a microcopter the viewer flies with fruit bats close to the tree tops of the Zambian forest. A high speed camera shows never seen details of a shoebill catching a lungfish or the combat of two male hippos in slow motion - a deep insight into a river of mysteries.


Hoanib - Home of the desert elephants (working title)
TV production, WDR (44'')

Together with the desert elephants, we explore the river valley of the Hoanib: from the rocky mountain world through the parching hot Namib Desert to the Atlantic. We also watch the other inhabitants of the Hoanib Valley such as the Namaqua chameleon, darkling beetle and Chacma baboon. They have all devised their own strategy in their daily struggle for survival against the hostile conditions of the desert.

We also accompany "our" elephants through the four seasons: from the dry and extremely hot spring to the quenching rain in the winter, awakening a colorful blanket of flowers for a short time. Using a microcopter we will take the viewer to spectacular aerial views. A high speed camera will show special moments in the animals´ lives very close and intensive. The unbelievable variety and beauty of the images make the film an extraordinary family event.


Schlei - Germanys longest Fjord (Die Schlei - Deutschlands längster Fjord)
TV production (44'')

The Schlei has been created by glaciers, thousands of years ago. In medieval times, Vikings founded a settlement called Haithabu; it became an important trading place in northern Europe. Today it is home of many species: gooses come here to breed; herrings arrive in spring, always observed by mighty sea-eagles. And in the estuary mouth you might also see porpoises. In summer a lot of tourists visit the Schlei, not only because of the biodiversity. This documentary will cover all aspects of this fjord: the many interesting species, the historical background and the picturesque landscape. It will show the variation of the Schlei and its surroundings in the four seasons of the year. . For the first time our self-made microcopter will come into operation. Flying high above but also close to the ground this little flying camera allows us to gain various views on the landscape in high-definition.