South Africa - Land of the Giants

The eastern part of South Africa: it is an area located between sub-tropical forests and dense grasslands, and the big names of the animal kingdom – the largest land mammal, the fastest hunter, even Africa’s largest amphibian – call it home!

Director: Thomas Behrend

Thomas Behrend, a German documentary film maker born in Hamburg, is well-known for his unique under water shots. While studying mechanical engineering the enthusiastic sports diver gathered his first experiences in underwater photography. In 1988 he got his first assignment for a film production. After finishing university he dedicated himself to his passion. In 1991 he founded his own company: BLUE PLANET FILM. From that time on Thomas Behrend produced many international award-winning nature films.

Director: Heike Grebe

Heike Grebe, born 1986 in Winterberg, Germany
· 2006 - 2009 studied Media Communication & Journalism at the "Fachhochschule des Mittelstands", a university of applied sciences in Bielefeld
· subsequently, traineeship as a video journalist at münchen.tv
· as of 2011 producer and author for BLUE PLANET FILM

From childhood on, Heike Grebe wanted to become a journalist. Various internships during her journalism studies at CNN, RTL and other TV stations paved her way to television. Doing day-to-day business in the newsroom at münchen.tv, she learned her trade as a news editor as well as handling the camera and cutting footage.
For years, Heike has been gripped by a profound enthusiasm for Africa. After graduating in October 2009, she spent six months doing voluntary services in Tanzania in order to get acquainted with its culture. Her first book "Heike in Afrika" originated from this experience.
Her love and fascination for the people, wildlife and landscapes of Africa is unbroken. BLUE PLANET FILM allowed Heike Grebe to pursue her passion in her position as producer for the project "Kongo", while also acting as author and cinematographer for the making-of. In her current project, a three-part series about South Africa, Heike is in charge of both script and directing in several chapters of a real nature documentary for the first time.

Germany
2016
50 Min.
German
6
Director: Thomas Behrend, Heike Grebe
Script: Thomas Behrend, Heike Grebe
Cinematography: Thomas Behrend, Michael Riegler, Mirco Tribanek
Editing: Mirco Tribanek
Music: Oliver Heuss
Narrator: Nicolas König
Editor: Ralph Quibeldey, NDR; Bernd Strobel, BR; Ute Beutler, RBB; Andrea Gastgeb, TERRA MATER
Producer: Doclights GmbH / NDR Naturfilm