During a press conference, actor Bruno Solo, director Sigrid Clément, program manager Caroline Behar and producers Samuel Kissous and Fabrice Frank presented Raiders of Ancient Egypta documentary series where curiosity, rigor and innovation meet to offer a unique story about the first explorers of Egypt.
Rediscovering the momentum of the pioneers
From the first minutes, the team recalls its main ambitions : “rediscovery” and the decryption of “how we learned everything we know today”.
Rather than limiting oneself to one “knowledge catalog”the series chooses to highlight the great figures of ancient Egypt through the eyes of the first adventurers of the 19e century. “It is a theme that is both original and innovative, based on in-depth expertise, with privileged access to the best archaeologists and to as yet unexplored sites”indicate the producers. In this way, the documentary series becomes “truly a tribute to the talent and courage of these pioneers”.
A new proposal
Caroline talks about the challenge that the diversity of programs and competition from “ large machines » which massively attract the public. To stand out, she insists on the importance “to make the documentary proposition fun, entertaining, generous, accessible. »
“The challenge that Caroline gave us was to create a great family show capable of reaching the widest possible audience,” explains Samuel. The challenge was then to imagine “a major series on ancient Egypt, visually exciting and with a wealth of content comparable to that of an American blockbuster, while remaining within the means of public service”.
In this hope of proposing a new learning model, Bruno specifies that, more than a simple documentary, “it is a person who accompanies them to discover history differently, in a unique, entertaining and enriching way”.
Meticulous work
Behind the epic aspect of the production lies a rigorous scientific requirement, because “everything is based on historical facts”specifies the director. The approach is based on “sourced and documented texts, archives, as well as competent historians, who fully master their subject”.
“Egyptology, originally, is also a French specialty”also supports Samuel. This approach thus guarantees the fidelity of the story while offering a renewed perspective on “a discipline deeply linked to France”.
The face of the series: Bruno Solo
Actor and narrator of the series, Bruno Solo explains that he was fully invested in the project by appropriating the texts in order to bring a nuance of « vibration ». “As an actor, this allows us to tell stories other than in a purely academic way”he specifies. Passionate about history, he also confides that he experienced the filming in a “fascination and astonishment, a bit like a child in wonder”.
A modern visual spectacle
The series also stands out for its visual ambition: filming in Egypt in new locations, special effects and measured but confident use of artificial intelligence. “AI has allowed us to create spectacular visual effects », Explain the producers, while emphasizing the caution adopted in the use of this tool: “We are careful to strictly adhere to the facts and only use verifiable image sources. »
A promise of inspiration and sharing
The team takes this opportunity to thank France Télévisions and express its enthusiasm and satisfaction with the results of this collaboration: “We are very proud of this series”they assure.
In their eyes, the project is fully in line with the public service mission: “It’s about educating, sparking curiosity and inspiring. » In this logic, the team wishes to offer those who cannot go there the possibility of “discover this story and let yourself be transported by beautiful stories”.
Bruno finally invites “let yourself be guided by discovery. Feel the same emotion that animated these first adventurers at the origin of Egyptology.”
