The Alps - A series of eight 30-minute films

After a long period of preparation, shooting and editing, the first ever series of films has been completed showing the "diverse unity" of the Italian Alpine regions; the southern side of a mountain range that runs 2000 kilometres from East to West has been portrayed in all its grandeur.
A close look at the ever-changing environments of the Alpine peaks and valleys and at the key role played by this natural barrier in ancient and modern European history. A spectacular aggregation of complex natural tableaux in which are inserted an equally complex collection of ethnic settlements.

Ever since the invention of moving pictures, and the early days of television thousands of films have been made about the Alps. And yet, incredible though it may seem, no single work addresses this majestic mountain range in its entirety from the geological, historical and anthropological points of view.

State of the art photographic techniques highlight the spectacular aspects of the Series: high altitude aerial shots from helicopters equipped with Helivision, special cameras and equipment for high altitude ground photography in prohibitive climatic conditions, remote controlled electronic cameras for live action wildlife sequences, special dedicated equipment for spectacular mountaineering and spelunker sequences, time lapse systems to capture the magical transformations of Alpine flora and chromatic changes in Dolomite rock formations.

Award winning filmmaker Folco Quilici probes the length and breadth of the Alps in search of geographical, historical and ethnic secrets that underline the human commitment in one of the world's most pristine environments, where the 21st century encroaches on cultures and traditions firmly rooted in the past.

The Alps
available on Video

THE EASTERN RANGE
THE JULIAN AND CARNIC ALPS

The first part of the series is an overview of the Eastern Alps. Using spectacular filming techniques, Folco Quilici, Italy's best known documentary filmmaker, focuses on the little known Giulia and Carniche Alps, tracing their history from primordial times to the present day. Breathtaking panoramas, Italy's most extensive forest, an authentic "Noah's Ark" of Alpine fauna and a unique cultural heritage enriched by the aggregation of different ethnic groups - Italians, Slavs, Germans - in the high valleys. Finally, a tribute to the courage of young alpinists and a rare film by master mountain climber Emilio Comici.

THE EASTERN RANGE
THE VENETO DOLOMITES ALPS

The second part of the series explores the heartland of the Dolomites. After a virtual reconstruction of the range as it thrusts up from the floor of the Tethys Sea, Quilici's cameras roam the dizzying slopes of the high peaks. The reappearance in the mountain habitat of species considered extinct - the fabled white lynx and the majestic Alpine bear roam terrain that hosts some of the world's toughest mountaineering courses. Finally, an adventurous climb up the legendary "Yellow Needle" by the Laverado Alpine team.

THE EASTERN RANGE
ALTO ADIGE ALPS

In the fourth part of the series, Folco Quilici opens a window onto the Trento Region where, in the course of three millennia, people have colonized and transformed a hostile land into a civilized, haven of tranquility. High peaks tower above valleys steeped in art and history, reflected in a priceless heritage of magnificent medieval and Renaissance castles. Mountaineering is represented by an adventurous conquest of the Campanil Basso in the Brenta sub-range, to celebrate the first time the sheer rock face was scaled a hundred years ago.

THE EASTERN RANGE
THE MOUNTAINS OF TRENTINO ALPS

The third part of the series addresses the mountainous heart of the Alto Adige Region where the Ortles-Cevedale, the Aurine, the Breonie and the Pusteresi form a crown around the peaks of the Central Dolomites, Sesto, Catinaccio-Rosengarten, Sassolungo, Sella Odle. The high valleys, scattered with art works and steeped in history, are home to people of Ladin origin, who still live according to their ancient customs. A sense of adventure is ever-present, highlighted by an exciting rescue operation on the glaciers of the Palla Bianca.

THE CENRAL RANGE
THE LOMBARDY CHAIN ALPS

Sometimes known as the Italian Tibet, the Lombardy Alps include the high peaks of Ortles-Cevedale, Mount Bernina and Mount Adamello and 147 glaciers: an itinerary in a world of breathtaking panoramas, exploring the Retiche Alps, the Pennine Alps and the Orobische Alps, admiring the works of nature and human achievement against a backdrop of the greatest feats of Lombard mountain climbing. Privileged excursions with climbers in the Grigne Range and on Mount Cengalo and with mountain skiers on Mount San Matteo.

THE WEASTERN RANGE
THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT

An eagle swoops over climbers as they conquer a needle in the Rocce del Nivolé in the Gran Paradiso National Park: a scene emblematic of this film dedicated to the rapport between people and mountains. A close look at sports events such as a climb on the Southern spur of Mount Tribolazione and visits to communities that have created their own independent cultural centres (The Walsers, the Waldenses, the Provençal). Exploring the valleys and slopes of Monte Rosa with a secret view of its colours, glaciers and refuges.

THE WESTERN RANGE
THE GIANTS OF THE VAL D'AOSTA

The rough purity of untamed peaks.
Rocks, ice and people are the protagonists of this film.
The seventh in the series of "The Alps", this is dedicated to the Val D'Aosta, the most complex mountain group in the Alpine chain.
Unforgettable images evoke the memory of famous alpineers, like Walter Bonatti, Massimo Mila, Alfonso Vinci, Edward Whymper, and Antoine Carrel. Daring film sequences combine never seen before footage with precious archive material to reveal the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, the Gran Paradiso and Monte Bianco, Europe's Royal Highness, soaring above the Val D'Aosta.

THE WEASTERN RANGE
COASTAL PEAKS AND VALLEYS

Spread out in a vast bow-shape, at first sight all the Alps look alike.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Maritime and Ligurian Alps emerge from the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and touch the sky with peaks like the Argentera, the Toraggio - "The Matterhorn of Liguria" and the Mangioje. Not to mention the "rock-face garden", a training ground for young climbers.
Other peaks and valleys reveal prehistoric finds, with thousands of rock-carvings, left behind by the Ligurian people who travelled far beyond these lands. Up-close rocks and far-off horizons conclude our incredible journey from east to west across the entire chain of The Alps.