“Please note that this film includes image(s) of human remains.”
FILM SYNOPSIS:
Along the northern coast of Peru, the remains of hundreds of children and young llamas have been found. They all appear to have been sacrificed in the 15th century, during the Chimor civilization, the largest empire in the Andean Region before the arrival of the Incas and the Conquistadors.
An international and multi-disciplinary team of scientists is leading the investigation on site and in laboratories. Peruvians, French and North-Americans are working together to unveil the mysteries and misfortunes of the Kingdom of Chimor. As the evidence builds up in this ‘cold case’, more and more leads are emerging… As scientists determine the perimeter of the crime scene, identify the victims and the perpetrators, find the murder weapons, examine the causes of death, they are attempting to understand the circumstances and ultimately the motive… Perhaps an economic crisis? An epidemic? Or a catastrophic climate event? A Mega El Nino seems the most likely lead. But the sacrifice is an isolated incident. Brand new discoveries lead us to suspect that a larger program of sacrifices existed right at the heart of the kingdom, for ever more demanding gods and noblemen.
By reconstructing the chain of events, we tell, from a unique angle, the extraordinary story of the Kingdom of Chimor, from its apogee to its fall….
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Jérôme Scemla started his career as first assistant director (cinema) before writing and directing his own documentaries. His films have been broadcast in France and internationally. For ARTE, he directed AQUANAUTS (first prize at the PARIS SCIENCE festival).
He then continued his exploration of science for France 5 with the series WELCOME TO THE NANOWORLD (scientific investigation award at the SCOOP festival in Angers, Silver Dragon at the Shenzhen scientific film festival in China, BAYER PRIZE at the Festival of the Scientific Film of Bangkok, ROBERVAL prize) and the series BIOLOGY2.0, a German co-production distributed by PBS.
He also codirected 90’ films and series on Discovery and History.
- Year2022
- Runtime90 minutes
- LanguageSpanish, English
- CountryFrance
- DirectorJérôme Scemla
- ProducerPatricia Boutinard Rouelle, Marianne Jestaz
- Executive ProducerNilaya Production
“Please note that this film includes image(s) of human remains.”
FILM SYNOPSIS:
Along the northern coast of Peru, the remains of hundreds of children and young llamas have been found. They all appear to have been sacrificed in the 15th century, during the Chimor civilization, the largest empire in the Andean Region before the arrival of the Incas and the Conquistadors.
An international and multi-disciplinary team of scientists is leading the investigation on site and in laboratories. Peruvians, French and North-Americans are working together to unveil the mysteries and misfortunes of the Kingdom of Chimor. As the evidence builds up in this ‘cold case’, more and more leads are emerging… As scientists determine the perimeter of the crime scene, identify the victims and the perpetrators, find the murder weapons, examine the causes of death, they are attempting to understand the circumstances and ultimately the motive… Perhaps an economic crisis? An epidemic? Or a catastrophic climate event? A Mega El Nino seems the most likely lead. But the sacrifice is an isolated incident. Brand new discoveries lead us to suspect that a larger program of sacrifices existed right at the heart of the kingdom, for ever more demanding gods and noblemen.
By reconstructing the chain of events, we tell, from a unique angle, the extraordinary story of the Kingdom of Chimor, from its apogee to its fall….
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Jérôme Scemla started his career as first assistant director (cinema) before writing and directing his own documentaries. His films have been broadcast in France and internationally. For ARTE, he directed AQUANAUTS (first prize at the PARIS SCIENCE festival).
He then continued his exploration of science for France 5 with the series WELCOME TO THE NANOWORLD (scientific investigation award at the SCOOP festival in Angers, Silver Dragon at the Shenzhen scientific film festival in China, BAYER PRIZE at the Festival of the Scientific Film of Bangkok, ROBERVAL prize) and the series BIOLOGY2.0, a German co-production distributed by PBS.
He also codirected 90’ films and series on Discovery and History.
- Year2022
- Runtime90 minutes
- LanguageSpanish, English
- CountryFrance
- DirectorJérôme Scemla
- ProducerPatricia Boutinard Rouelle, Marianne Jestaz
- Executive ProducerNilaya Production