SYNOPSIS:

There is no more fascinating story than that of the Neanderthals, the other human species that shared the territory with our own for thousands of years. In the Lozoya River Valley, in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, lies an enigma that challenges our perception of the past: a hidden sanctuary, a collection of skulls of large mammals deliberately arranged in a cave. Beyond hunting and survival, the Neanderthals left behind evidence of something profoundly human: the need to give meaning to their world. Each new piece of evidence brings us closer to a revelation: perhaps humanity did not begin with us, but was shared with those who came before us. A search for answers that ultimately confronts us with our own reflection in the mirror of time.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:

Javier Trueba is the founder of Madrid Scientific Films, a world-renowned production company specializing in scientific films. A director and producer of documentaries focusing on nature and science, his work has been developed in 40 countries, with productions in film, video, 3D, and animation formats for television and audiovisual projects for cultural institutions and museums worldwide. He is the director of the series “The Nature of Ibero-America,” “Travel Journals,” and programs such as “The Mystery of the Giant Crystals,” “Prehistoric Spain,” and “Atapuerca: World Heritage Site.” As a photographer, he has published hundreds of photo essays in magazines and newspapers around the world, including National Geographic, Science, Nature, PNAS, Archaeology, Scientific American, Discovering Archaeology, Focus, Geo, Paris Match, and La Recherche, and has contributed to dozens of books. Since 1986 he has worked with the Atapuerca research team and currently also collaborates with the Olduvai and Pinilla del Valle excavation projects.

Gabriela Villecco holds a degree in Audiovisual Communication and a Master's degree in Educational Television. She has directed and coordinated scripts for science outreach projects, such as the series "Time Line" and "The Flooded Forest" for the CaixaForum+ platform. She has also worked as a screenwriter and editor on the TVUNAM series "Anthropocene" and as a screenwriter on the RTVE series "Right to Dream." Currently, she is a member of the creative team for the ERC Deathrevol project, which explores the roots and evolution of death culture, contributing her expertise in creating audiovisual content for educational purposes