Secrets of the Neanderthals
We shot the Drama sequences for Secrets of the Neanderthals in Croatia after extensive testing in the UK for Netflix and BBC Studios. Helmed by director Ashley Gething, we sought to find a photographic style that would bring to life the mystery of the Neanderthals, whose DNA we all still share. The film, narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart, moves from the current archaeological work to Science’s new understandings of Neanderthal behaviour, bonds and rituals. The task of shooting these Dramatic moments, woven as they are throughout the narrative, required a distinctive photographic approach. Within these , by using the humanity and tactility of a handheld camera, we sought to immerse the audience and place them in an almost abstracted proximity to our mysterious ancestors. The resultant sequences employ an altogether more painterly approach to seeing with organic optical accident, flares and distortions as we leaned in to vintage lenses and large format photography.
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