SECRETS OF THE NEANDERTHALS PRODUCTION
F or centuries, the enigmatic presence of Neanderthals has captivated the human imagination, fuelling both scientific inquiry and cultural fascination. Emerging onto the prehistoric stage over 400,000 years ago, these robust cousins of Homo sapiens once traversed the ancient landscapes of Eurasia, leaving behind a trail of skeletal remains, tools and art. Despite their extinction roughly 40,000 years ago, our ancestors remain a
subject of profound interest in modern scientific discourse, anthropological studies and pop culture. Our enduring fascination with them is driven by a deep-seated curiosity about our own origins, a quest to comprehend the intricacies of human evolution and an ongoing effort to unravel the mysteries of our shared past. Produced by BBC Studios Science Unit and directed by Ashley Gething exclusively for Netflix, the feature- length documentary Secrets of the Neanderthals – narrated by Patrick Stewart – aims to challenge preconceptions about Neanderthals as a wholly primitive species. It uncovers evidence suggesting they possessed greater intelligence, creativity and compassion than previously believed. A surge of discoveries across Europe in the last two decades has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of these ancient ancestors. The film delves into the captivating narrative of excavation work at the famous Shanidar Cave in northern Iraq, where the remains of ancient humans were originally unearthed in the fifties. This site holds particular importance as it marked the earliest revelations of Neanderthal burial customs. Over the years, more than ten skeletons have been excavated from this location, with the most recent discovery being unveiled back in 2020.
DOP Brendan McGinty ( The Devil on Trial ) was acquainted with producer Gideon Bradshaw while collaborating on another docu-drama titled First Contact: An Alien Encounter , which was in pre- production at the time. Subsequently, McGinty was introduced to Secrets of the Neanderthals director Ashley Gething and the two immediately connected – sharing the same thoughts and creative vision for the film. The entire shoot took place in Croatia, owing to its geographic terrains. “We found a beautiful cave, mountains, forests, rivers and savannah in relatively close proximity to our unit base, which all beautifully matched the location needs of Ashley’s script,” McGinty begins. CHOOSING THE KIT After extensive testing in the UK, the team used a combination of RED’s large format sensors (both MONSTRO and V-RAPTOR) and a set of sixties Canon Rangefinder lenses (TLS-rehoused Canon Dream lenses). “These optics were originally designed to work on rangefinder cameras; they sit far closer to the film plane than any of the later Reflex lenses,” McGinty explains. “Our cameras were LPL- mounted to accommodate for the closer distance, and this optical proximity allows for a far simpler telecentric lens design. The Dreams also have warm, minimal coatings without any flare suppression.
PRIMAL INSTINCT By combining historical accuracy, advanced camera tech and Raw format shooting, the team created realistic environments – bringing Neanderthals to life on screen
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