In Search of the First European 2011
Distributed by Docuseek2
Produced by TVE, Turkana Films.
Directed by Luis Quevedo, Iván Yamir, and Alfonso Par.
Streaming, color, 58 min.
High School - General Adult
Evolution, Research, Science
Date Entered: 12/07/2015
Reviewed by Alexander Rolfe, Technical Services Librarian, George Fox University, Newberg, ORLuis Quevedo wants to know where Europeans come from, and is willing to go on an adventure to find out. With the Spanish scholar Eduald Carbonell as his guide, he also learns something of what our ancestors were like. Together they eat termites fresh from the mound, as well as marrow from a carcass they butcher with flakes of stone. They also visit a hunter-gatherer tribe in Africa, and Quevedo goes on to visit the Neanderthal Genome Project, caves at Gibraltar, and other significant sites.
This engaging approach keeps the film interesting. The simple, straightforward narrative of human evolution and migration he uncovers makes it pedagogically effective. Focusing on the basics of the evolutionary story, in a leisurely yet fun manner, makes this a great film for undergraduates and the general public.
The film is in Spanish with English subtitles. The technical quality is very good, and the subtitles are always easy to read, although they are riddled with minor errors.