London, England, based Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker Anthony Geffen who is the founder of Atlantic Productions will return to the Community Library in Ketchum on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. to present "Filming the Impossible."
Geffen will talk and present slides and film clips from three projects on which he's been working this year. His projects include "Tutankhamun: Secrets of the Boy King," "Altitude Everest Expedition 2007" and a new project on the former Soviet Union, "Atlas Russia."
Geffen is drawn not only to history but also to how history and science can tell stories about the past. He strives to reveal lives and times that have been lost or misconstrued.
"I want to give people insight on how films are made," Geffen said. "I've always loved history, and like it especially when history merges with science. I like the active elements. What's interesting is trying to find out and how we can learn more from the sciences."
Geffen will give first-hand accounts of what has gone into his productions. He'll explain things like trying to understand Tutankhamun and who the real King Tut might have been. Given special permission by the Egyptian government, Geffen and his production team were able to present new evidence that indicated when and how he died. The new discoveries indicate that it was a hunting accident that took his life.
"We have pieced together a whole new image of him," Geffen said. "Everyone knows the treasure, the gold and the masks but not the person."
Leaping into the future, Geffen will discuss his latest project, "Atlas Russia," and what it's like filming in the former Soviet Union. The project crisscrosses the country's 11 time zones to reveal a region in transition as well as how a war-torn past has displaced many people and how the country's newfound wealth has created a class of super wealthy people and entrepreneurs. Through six vastly different people, Geffen illustrates a new Russia that continues to harbor old-world traditions and occupations. He explains how it's oil money is shaping a new future for the country.
"In Russia we can understand what's happening and what is making the country tick," Geffen said. "These are all powerful stories, and we have to tell them globally."
Geffen will also reveal behind-the-scenes images from another exciting project "Altitude Everest Expedition 2007." The challenge and outcome of filming at the top of the world with costume changes and replicating 1924 gear and conditions, Geffen's experience on Mount Everest sheds new light on the most incredible mountaineering story of the 20th century.
The experience, Web interaction and story outcome to "Altitude Everest Expedition 2007" is more than just retracing George Mallory and Sandy Irvine's fateful climb. It will give viewers first-hand knowledge on decision making and goal expectations in one of the world's most challenging environments.
For more details, call 726-3493.
The crew of ?Altitude Everest Expedition 2007? filming on Mount Everest?s Second Step.
-Courtesy photo
