Into the Forest Nature Documentary

(Der Magische Wald: Reptilien und Amphibien)

Solo film maker Bryan Maltais returns to a forest in Europe that he explored as a child to tell an enchanting tale of some of its often overlooked creatures as they emerge from Winter and flourish into Summer. With 90 days to film, and a rucksack full of camera gear, he embarks on a quest to see if the creatures that he once knew have endured decades of human progress. Animals filmed range from large megafauna to microscopic plankton, with emphasis on the Amphibians, and an imminent threat to their existence that’s sweeping through Europe. Fimed in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Produced in Ft. Collins, Colorado. English and German versions coming soon.

About the Film

Into the Forest (Auf Deutsch- Der Magische Wald: Reptilien und Amphibien) is in both English and German versions. It begins at the end of Winter as a forest in southern Germany awakens. It follows wildlife species, both large and small, from their intense mating period through the birth of their progeny, and the struggles they face in their home in the forest. Amphibians and reptiles, the often overlooked forest characters, are the emphasis of the film. In particular, the story of Fire Salamander is told, one of Germany’s most beautiful and treasured animals. However, all isn’t necessarily well with the Fire salamander in Europe. Into the Forest illuminates the Bsal Chytrid fungus plague that threatens the Fire Salamander’s existence.

Into the Forest is told as a fable, and is a marriage between folklore and scientific documentary. A backdrop of medieval German villages, and lush deciduous forest creates a mystical realm in which the lives of the forest animals unfold. Into the Forest was filmed over 90 days from March to June in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Filming was done in several small forests near the city of Stuttgart, including Denkendorf Alter Aichwald, Naturpark Schönbuch, Silberwald and Wurmlingen/Rottenburg. One segment was filmed on the Isle of Krk, Croatia. The story-line is portrayed as a single forest, and is based on the Alter Aichwald of Denkendorf that I explored as a child. Video elements include aerial drone footage, underwater, timelapse, extreme-macro, and night. Into the Forest is an independently funded and produced film by Wilderness Media LLC/Bryan Maltais. Post-production was done in Ft. Collins, Colorado. The film is narrated in English and German versions.