2023, France, 84' ֍ Dir. Pascal Guérin
English/French/Italian/Turkish (Turkish, French subtitles)
A Turkish archaeologist’s chance discovery of a sunken Byzantine basilica in Lake Iznik (Nicaea), not far from Istanbul, mobilized an international team of French, Turkish, Swiss and American researchers. Together, these scientists are investigating the reasons why this mysterious structure remains underwater as well as the tragic stories hidden at the bottom of the lake. Discoveries at Nicaea are shedding light on the process involved in the construction of Christianity, as researchers begin to uncover the secrets of this lost world.
Pascal Guerin has written and directed international documentaries focusing on multidisciplinary subjects involving history and science. His documentaries have been screened at international festivals including the Archaeology Film Festival in Split, Croatia and the Bidasoa International Archaeology Film Festival FICAB in Spain, and they have won numerous awards. His most recent film, Iznik The Sunken Enigma, received the Trophée d’Or for best feature film at the Festival du Film Scientifique Sciences-Réunion, France, and a special mention for cinematography at the 12th AGON International Archaeological Film Festival in Athens, Greece.
