Films by Klaus Scheurich

Germany 2023, 52 min
by Rosie Koch, Roland Gockel

Although garden dormice are at home in large parts of Europe, hardly anyone really knows these rodents with their Zorro mask and those beady eyes. Hence, only few people initially noticed when the animals began to suddenly and inexplicably disappear throughout the entire continent. But when even classic garden dormouse strongholds, like the Bavarian Fichtelgebirge, reported them missing, researchers and conservationists sounded the alarm. Hurriedly BUND Friends of the Earth, the Senckenberg Research Institute and the University of Giessen got together to form a task force of unprecedented size and scope. The Dormouse Detectives strive to find out how many, where and why the garden dormice are disappearing. In their effort to gather as many clues as possible, the investigators even enlist the help of the general population. While citizen scientists work with garden dormouse monitoring devices or report sightings, students equip garden dormouse undercover agents with transmitters to learn more about sources of danger in the daily lives of the nocturnal omnivores. While a veterinarian examines corpses of garden dormice, wildlife stations care for their orphans. And toxicology experts analyze tissue samples in search for environmental poisons and pesticides. Other special forensic units rifle through stomach contents for decisive clues or analyze genetic samples. Time is of the essence. Only if the Dormouse Detectives manage to solve this puzzling case fast, may they still be able to save the species.

Germany 2022, 52 min
by Annette Scheurich, Klaus Scheurich

Sun, sand and sea - for us humans, beaches are the epitome of holidays and relaxation. But they are also habitats for animals and plants. An amazing microcosm of nature unfolds between parasols and deckchairs - if you look closely. The actual inhabitants of the beach have developed different strategies to adapt to the tourist hustle and bustle. Whether beach cat, seagull, sand flea, octopus or crab - they all cope well with the annual occupation of their habitat. The film tells beach stories from the animals' point of view - sometimes funny, sometimes dramatic, and always surprising. 

Germany 2022, 50 min
by Tim Visser, Sander van Iersel

When light pollution causes the night to disappear, a fundamental clock for life on earth is thrown out of balance. Animals and plants are threatened by artificial light. Many organisms have found their evolutionary niche in the dark of night and must now adapt to bright nights. Some succeed, but for many the brightness becomes a death trap - and causes species to die. Dedicated researchers now shed a new light on the effects of this nocturnal light on nature. Will science find solutions to the problem?

2021, 156 min
by Herbert Ostwald

Ostrich-sized rheas tramp on shoots of fields in Northern Germany. Flocks of bright green parrots screech along Cologne Cathedral. And beaver-like nutrias with orange teeth gnaw on Dutch dikes. All these animal nags are alien and are suspected of causing ecological and economic damage. Do the invaders have to be fought? Or is it just prejudice against hitherto unknown species?This small series of three films gets to the bottom of the accusations against alien species. For this purpose, the immigrated animals are observed in their new environment, their relationships to other species are shown and the latest scientific results are presented.

Germany 2020, 52 min
by Daniela Pulverer, Boris Raim

What happens when an animal perishes in the depth of the forest? Who clears up the remains? Why aren’t we surrounded by carcasses? After all, death is a constant and universal visitor …Every death means life for zillions of other living organisms: it is the initiator of a complex cycle we all depend upon. But despite its importance, we know relatively little about the animals that move in after a body has died, the organisms that radically change the body’s chemistry, and the plants that recycle the valuable nutrients contained in every carcass. A film about life after death…

Germany 2020, 52 min
by Annette Scheurich, Alexandra Sailer, Steffen Sailer, Klaus Scheurich

Our seasons shape the cycle of life in dramatic ways. Spring, summer, autumn or winter – every season is unique, each presenting nature with new challenges. The constant change in living conditions demands extraordinary feats from animals and plants throughout the year. And the survival strategies of the squirrel, fox and many others could hardly be more fascinating.

2020, 260 min
by Mi-Yong Brehm, Almut Faass, Daniela Pulverer, Rosie Koch

The lakes of Northern Italy are considered as places of longing. The series "Beyond the Alps" shows the five largest of them as natural habitats and at the same time introduces people who are closely connected to the lakes.  Narrated by Eva Mattes, the world of the lakes is portrayed in high-class pictures. Five camera teams were on the road for 150 days, helicopter shots show the special features of this landscape from a bird's eye view.

2018, 104 min
by Herbert Ostwald, Steffen Sailer

Most people think they know everything about cows: They stand around in fields. They eat grass, moo every now and then and of course they give milk. They are the archetypal symbols of a rural scene, of everlasting tranquility. But cows are much more than that. Cows are generally held to be peaceful and a bit stupid. However, that's actually a big misunderstanding. Because cows have personalities, they are sensitive, able to learn and socially oriented, but also quite able to defend themselves. In two parts, with spellbinding images, employing new camera angles in an entertaining, unusual and exciting way, this film tells the story of some quite surprising aspects of a cow's life.• The Secret Life of Cows – Wild at HeartThis is not the prairie – it‘s a pasture in Southern Germany. Almost 300 cattle live here, outdoors year-round, because the farmer just wants the best for all of his cows.  Thirty-five years ago, the forebears of these cattle were permitted to leave their stalls and take over the meadows again.  How much ‘nature’ still lurks inside this livestock? And can ‘wild’ cattle really conquer the challenges of their environment? This is a story about a unique experiment• The Secret Life of Cows – Samura's WorldCows are generally held to be pleasant and likeable. At first glance, their lives seem familiar. But – there’s so much more to cows! These cows are unlike any others. And the story of Samura and her unusual herd reveals why. Far from big-city bustle, tucked away in a southwestern corner of Germany, lies a special farmstead. Home to the bovine community of Samura the cow.

2018, 52 min
by Annette Scheurich

Life and death, partings and new beginnings – hardly any other season finds these extremes as close together as they are in autumn. Fallen leaves strew vibrant colour on the ground and there is abundant food available for the animals. But winter, with all its hardships, lurks around the corner, and a race against time begins. The film depicts the tension of this period that can rarely be so clearly observed in other seasons. From forests, meadows and fields to gardens and parks – it’s a time of dramatic challenges, changes and dangers.

2018, 104 min
by Annette Scheurich, Klaus Scheurich

Grizzly bears – up to 2.5 metres tall with top weights of 550 kilos, equipped with sharp claws and predators’ jaws to match. We’ve all heard stories of aggressive bear attacks and close encounters… But what are brown bears really like? Renowned bear biologist Chris Morgan is passionate about uncovering their true nature and has studied them for years. In this stunning two-part documentary, Chris is on the trail of the brown bears on the Katmai Coast in Alaska, where he can get closer to them than anywhere else to witness their social lives and survival techniques in intimate detail, revealing a surprisingly sensitive, tolerant, even tender side to the imposing Grizzly.Offering entertaining and informative insights, Chris commentates the bears’ behaviour and explains the peculiarities of Katmai’s unique habitat and its impact on the local population of grizzlies. Always close to the action, his passion for bears shines through and guides us through an engaging and gripping narrative, packed with surprises and intimate bear moments. The two episodes – The Hunger Challenge and The Private Life of Bears – focus on different central aspect of the bears’ lives, from survival to social life, and together provide a rounded, gripping and visually stunning insight into the unusual lives of the Katmai bears.

Germany 2016, 52 min
by Klaus Scheurich

Spring is a time of new beginnings and new life. The world is bursting with joie de vivre, and the sheer force of nature is never more tangible than during this season. Birds chirp at the top of their lungs, insects buzz through the air and blossoms magically touch the landscape with colour. Creatures of all kinds – starlings, squirrels and frogs – begin to have their young.In forests, fields, meadows and gardens, nature awakens from her winter sleep: buds swell, fresh green leaves begin to sprout, tender plants spring up out of the ground. The world takes on colour again. The still, barren wintertime is past, and spring is a gaily-hued fanfare – high-spirited and full of zest.The magic of spring in all its glory is the focus of this film. Unusual animal stories – some humorous, some dramatic – create a very special springtime feel. Upbeat, amusing and exciting, the film illustrates vividly that spring is the loveliest season of all.

Germany 2015, 52 min
by Herbert Ostwald

Widely known as heralds of good luck and happiness, storks are very popular animals. This is especially true for Ruehstaedt, a tiny picturesque village in Germany. Every year the rooftops here are home for up to 40 pairs of White Stork, which in turn attract about 30.000 visitors per year to the remote village.For one breeding season the film portrays the fascinating coexistence of man and storks in Ruehstaedt.

Germany 2015, 52 min
by Klaus Scheurich

What do polar bears do during the summer? Where do they live when there is no ice? What do they eat when they cannot hunt seals? Do they suffer or do they thrive? This film follows the polar bears of Hudson Bay throughout the summer and portrays their trials of life and their fight for survival at a time when other denizens of the Arctic enjoy a season of overabundance.

Germany 2014, 52 min
by Klaus Scheurich

The carousel of life - constantly turning. Just as the seasons follow one another inevitably, life too takes its course. Every creature must struggle on its own for survival. Hunter and hunted, plant and tree. And yet, all living things are dependent on each other. Each needs the other. And this interplay of species is demonstrated strikingly in the orchard. Because even man has a place here: he intervenes, creates and takes - and has a vital impact on the diversity of life. There is no beginning and no end. The carousel of life continues to turn.202120 NaturVision FF

Germany 2013, 52 min
by Klaus Scheurich

Winter casts a very special, magical spell. It’s a time for traditions and customs: snowmen come to life, Santas wander through brightly-lit Christmas markets, much to the delight of the children. But indigenous animal life pays no heed to this human idyll. For them, winter is a time of austerity. Squirrels, boars and lynx all have their own strategy for surviving the winter. But despite an amazing ability to adapt, the fight for survival is hard. The film takes us on a journey through a wintry landscape- underscored by a childlike enthusiasm for the cold season. Snow-covered fairy-tale landscapes, unusual wildlife stories and touching tales about animals create a special heart-warming winter atmosphere that not even adults can escape.

Germany 2011, 52 min
by Herbert Ostwald

They steal handbags, open cars and have no respect for humans. The last baboons of the Table Mountain region have become a real plague.
The resident population is split into sympathetic protectors and fierce opponents. The animals are deliberately run over by cars, shot and poisoned. 
According to scientists the baboons have to relearn that humans are a threat in order to survive. Thus a special force has been recruited from the townships: the „Baboon Police“. Day and night the „officers“ follow the marauding baboon troops trying to chase away the monkeys with slingshots, sticks and whips. 
The documentary follows the „Baboon Police“ and their marauding monkey clans. Is there still a chance for humans and baboons to live in peaceful neighbourhood?

Germany 2010, 90 min
by Annette Scheurich

The Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains are like twins; separated by the Rhine Valley millions of years ago. Today, they form two different habitats: in the Vosges Mountains bright deciduous woodlands prevail. Rare animals like the Lynx roam the forests and storks fly in flocks around the valleys and nest in the towns. The Black Forest with its coniferous woods and secret animals seems darker, except when thick snow in the winter lights up the mountains with brilliant covers. An emotional portray about land an nature, including also customs and traditions still being performed today. Work in progress, completion date June 2010.

Germany 2008, 43 min
by Tim Förderer, Annette Scheurich

DEEP SEA Deep sea: 1000m below the surface – there is no light, instead an immense pressure and icy temperatures. The deep sea encompasses more than 90% of the planets habitat. Yet we know less about the depths of our oceans than we do about the surface of the moon. This film documents the technical, scientific, and ecological challenges faced by deep sea researchers. One of the largest scale projects to date is called ARGO. Scientists around the globe work together in an effort to gather data on the physical state of the upper ocean. They use more than 3000 battery powered floats to detect potential influences of the deep sea on weather systems like the El Nino or the monsoon. Does the ocean affect global climate change? The deep sea might even offer solutions when it comes to the issue of CO2. Is there a way to sink the gas in the depths of the ocean? Researchers in the Okinawa Trough are trying to find out. In addition the sea floor harbors humongous amounts of resources: oil, natural gas, methane. There is also an abundance of gold, copper, and manganese. Scientists work hard to try and locate these materials. Millions of deep sea dwellers are waiting for their discovery. If these bizarre ocean creatures will ever be fully grasped is doubtful. Still researchers are trying to account for them in the “Census of Marine Life” species catalogue. They are hoping to find new pharmaceutical components. The expenditures that come with these scientific projects are enormous. Huge research vessels and high-tech equipment are necessary to get to the depths of the oceans secrets. Still these efforts remain mere visits to the unknown. Scientists are secretly dreaming of research stations on the ocean floor that would enable them to keep a more constant eye on the abyss. By presenting exciting new projects worldwide, this film offers insight into recent deep sea research. It shows, that there is still a lot to be discovered on planet earth. Finally, it recognizes that the unknown world of the ocean affects life on this entire planet in ways we never knew before. It offers new and invaluable insights concerning both the origin and the future of life on earth.

Germany 2006
by Marcel Steuermann, Annette Scheurich

July 1946. Bikini. An Atoll of the Marshall Islands, somewhere in the vast blue of the Pacific Ocean, between the Philippines and Hawaii. A place that could hardly be more remote. But it was its remoteness from all Western civilization which doomed it for destruction, as it was for exactly this reason that the American forces chose it as the site of the first atomic explosions after Hiroshima. A formidable fleet of discharged battleships was gathered in order to sink them all in the most spectacular way. Testing the destructive power of the bombs was not the only objective; they also wanted to make a big impression in the oncoming Cold War with the Soviet Union. During their “Operation Crossroads” in July 1946, they detonated two atomic bombs, sinking a ghost fleet of 84 battleships in the process. They were also destroying nature, life both above and under water. Parts of the huge atoll ring incurred long-term contamination. To this day, food needs to be imported to the islands. Attempts at resettling the inhabitants – who had been forcibly evacuated – were abandoned in the 1970ies. The remaining radiation of 23 atomic bombs that had been detonated on the Bikini Atoll up until 1958 was still much too high. The armed forces have long since left the atoll. Nature was able to repair many of the man-made damages, although not all of them. To this day, the crater left by the hydrogen bomb Bravo in 1954 looks like a submarine moonscape, where new corals barely gain a foothold. Yet other reefs in the formerno-go area had a chance to develop back to their former splendor, undisturbed for many decades. Even the sharks were safe from Asian fishing fleets. It would be difficult to find such a healthy shark population anywhere else, and they are known for their aggressiveness. A mutation brought about by the tests? The fauna has re-conquered its realm. It has turned gigantic wrecks, like the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga or the Japanese battleship Nagato, into huge artificial reefs. Hideaways for countless fish, corals and other lower animals. The wrecks of the ghost fleet have by now become a veritable diver's dream spot. The Bikini Atoll: 60 years after the first nuclear tests a paradise has come back to life. largely unexplored, it is precisely because those traces of the nuclear past still cast their shadow, that this place is like no other.