Project preview - full project coming soon.
"Last Knights of Nature" is a new kind of science documentary that blends novel imaging techniques, AI-driven visualizations, and immersive storytelling to explore marine biodiversity from multiple perspectives—scientists, citizen explorers, and the creatures themselves.
Set across Cabo Verde, France, and Spain, the film follows a group of marine biologists and conservationists as they uncover microscopic life within ocean sediment. Using innovative tools, from 3D light-sheet microscopy to machine learning and gaming engines, we translate the unseen into vivid cinematic experiences.
This project is part of the Digital Ocean Engine, a project that leverages data and technology to map and understand marine ecosystems in new ways. More than just a film, "Last Knights of Nature" is a multi-platform experience—extending into interactive media, citizen science projects, and a science podcast featuring real conversations with researchers.
Through a fusion of science and art, the documentary challenges how we see the natural world. To protect life, we must first learn to see it.
"Last Knights of Nature" redefines the science documentary format by integrating cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling. Inspired by Werner Herzog’s observational style and the dreamlike visuals of Waking Life, the film blends real-world discovery with speculative imaging techniques, allowing audiences to see marine life as it might perceive itself.
The documentary follows a passionate group of researchers, including veteran marine biologist Jesús, conservationists Leo and Carmen, and a network of explorers, as they journey from the volcanic islands of Cabo Verde to high-tech research labs in France and Spain. They uncover tardigrades, copepods, and nematodes—microscopic species that hold clues to biodiversity and evolution.
Through scientific imaging, AI-enhanced reconstructions, and game-engine simulations, the film visualizes these tiny creatures' experiences, from the shadowy world of waterbears to the bioluminescent signals of deep-sea shrimp. As the story unfolds, the technology itself becomes a character—revealing more details as the scientists’ understanding deepens.
This project is deeply connected to the Digital Ocean Engine, a broader effort to digitally reconstruct and map marine ecosystems. By integrating research data with artistic storytelling, the film contributes to scientific discovery while engaging the public through visual experiences, interactive platforms, and citizen science initiatives.
Ultimately, "Last Knights of Nature" is more than a documentary—it’s a call to action. It highlights the urgency of marine conservation and the power of technology to unveil the mysteries of our planet. In a world where we can’t protect what we don’t understand, this film seeks to make the unseen seen and the unknown known.