Ralf Rueckauer, Vice President ZDFE.unscripted, ZDF Enterprise

ZDF Enterprises are adding four new captivating productions to their unscripted catalogue this autumn. Legendary Heroes (3 x 60’ HD), The Year that Rocked the World (5 x 50’), Rescued Chimpanzees of The Congo with Jane Goodall (5 x 50’) and Underworld (5 x 50’) have all completed filming this month.

Ralf Rueckauer, Vice President ZDFE.unscripted, ZDF Enterprises, said: “From history, science and wildlife to exploring mythical legends, our factual slate will be enriched by these exciting titles. High production values and excellent storytelling bring to life the range of topics covered by the documentaries, offering great entertainment for audiences globally.” 

Legendary Heroes, from ZDF’s renowned Terra X documentary slot, was filmed in nine countries across Europe. Produced by NFP Media Rights with ARTE as co-producer, the three-part series looks at fantastical stories that have enthralled humanity for centuries, seeking their origin and whether any truth exists behind the legends. 

The Year that Rocked the World celebrates iconic and extraordinary global moments from politics, cinema, crime, celebrity, sports, disasters, science, inventions, music and the arts — landmark events in the course of one year that profoundly shaped the world we know today. Combining archive footage, engaging interviews from well-known faces to pop hits of that time, the series captures the essence of five different breakthrough years. 

Rescued Chimpanzees of The Congo with Jane Goodall, filmed over 30 years, is a groundbreaking series revealing Jane Goodall’s journey to create the largest chimp sanctuary in Africa. Following the rehabilitation of a cast of orphaned chimpanzees from recovery to eventually living in a wild environment, the sanctuary is challenged daily on a whole range of issues from malnutrition to disease and paralysis. The wildlife series was produced by Off the Fence Productions with the support of the Jane Goodall Institute for Curiosity Stream in association with ZDF Enterprises.

A visually spectacular cave exploration series employing pioneering 3D technology, Underworld was filmed in five international locations. From the final refuges of the Neanderthals in the caves of Gibraltar to the largest caverns on Earth in China, these underground adventures will build a detailed picture of a unique world hidden beneath our feet. Underworld was produced by Off The Fence for Curiosity Stream in co-production with ZDF Enterprises and Youku, in association with Wingsight.

Website: www.zdf-enterprises.de