Darßer NaturfilmFestival 2025: Special "Nature film classics"
Who doesn't know them? Prof. Dr. Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael were not only pioneers in the exploration of African life and wildlife, loving animal lovers and visionaries; they were first and foremost scientists who knew how to use the power of the media to spread their messages and visions. Their documentaries were seen by millions of viewers in their day and translated into 30 languages. Serengeti darf nicht sterben" was the first German film to win an Oscar in 1960. In this groundbreaking documentary about the wildlife of the Serengeti, Bernhard Grzimek describes the natural system of order in the diverse animal world of the African nature reserve with great commitment. At the same time, Grzimek emphatically warns people not to neglect such valuable reserves or abandon them to commercial interests. Michael Grzimek died in an accident during the filming of this movie. So his father completed the work they had begun alone. The result is a breathtaking animal film with magnificent color shots of the wonders of the Serengeti. This last animal reserve must live on. Serengeti must not die!
West Germany // 1958/1959 // 84 min. // FSK 6
Director: Michael Grzimek, Bernhard Grzimek // Cinematography: Michael Grzimek // Music: Wolfgang Zeller // Editing: Klaus Dudenhöfer // Producer:in: Bernhard Grzimek // Production: Okapia-Film GmbH
