4 documentaries of 52 minutes produced by Mona Lisa ( Imaginove's member ) and coproduced by Arte France, with the participation of Ushuaïa TV , Science Channel (USA), TéléQuébec (Canada), RTBF (Belgium). The series is distributed on the international market by Zodiak Rights.
Budget of the series: 1, 36 M €, that is 340 000 € by episode.
What « Life in hell » is about ?
Just 30 years ago, scientists believed that certain places on Earth were sterile. Life there was simply impossible, just as it is absent from other planets.
But we now know certain creatures are perfectly adapted to these conditions, which would prove fatal for the vast majority of organisms. Scientists have dubbed them “extremophiles” – those who like extreme conditions – and they can be found in the most inhospitable places on the planet: Hot springs, The extreme cold of glaciers, Isolated caves,… for examples.
To understand the secrets of evolution in these places, scientists are studying how certain species have managed to survive in environments that are hostile and dangerous for humans.
This series follows several groups of researchers on expeditions to some of the world’s most extreme spots.
How did you shoot this documentaries ?
These documentaries pack a strong visual punch, combining numerous Cineflex aerial shots with the latest techniques for filming with optical and electronic microscopy.
The chosen habits for extremophiles offer some unrivalled scenery in terms of strangeness, beauty and variety of landscapes.
The bizarre colors and shapes and the curious behavior of these micro-organisms make each unique ecosystem especially visual, whether seen from the air or under a microscope.
A continuous zoom from the infinitely large to the infinitesimally small.
What are the synopsis of the 4 documentaries ?
Survivors of salt & acid : Gold Trophy – 11th Festival du Film Scientifique de La Réunion – La Réunion, FRANCE – 2011
In these environments, micro-organisms rule. In order to thrive, certain animals have made strange adaptations. Scientists are studying how they manage to live in water as acid as vinegar or as alkaline as washing powder.
Survivors of heat :
At temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius, life is lived at the extreme. To survive, certain animals have undergone some strange adaptations. In the hottest zones on the planet, scientists are studying how life has managed to develop between 50 and 120 degrees.
Survivors of cold :
In cold environments, micro-organisms rule. They form the basis of a fragile ecosystem threatened by global warming. Scientists are studying how these species manage to survive in environments as unstable and ephemeral as snow and ice.
Survivors of darkness : Best Scientific Film – 5th Green Screen Wildlife Film Festival –
Eckernförde, GERMANY – 2011
In these environments, micro-organisms rule. Certain animals have strange adaptations such as skin that is totally white or even transparent. Others are blind. Scientists are studying how these species manage to survive with so little oxygen, food and light in the most inhospitable caves on the planet.
more info about Mona Lisa Production on www.monalisa-prod.com
