International distributor Balanga has secured initial international sales for its history documentary, “Beasts of the Colosseum,” ahead of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous. The documentary, produced by Antoine Henriquet’s AH! Production and Jean-Luc Berlot’s Adline for Novo 19 in France, in association with Mediaset in Italy, explores the Venationes – battles featuring wild animals – in Ancient Rome.
ZDF/Terra X in Germany, SVT in Sweden, and Radio-Canada have all acquired the documentary. “Beasts of the Colosseum” details the complex system used to capture and transport thousands of animals from across the Roman Empire for the Colosseum games. The film utilizes historical research and AI-driven reenactments to depict these events.
According to Balanga President Christophe Bochnacki, “I believe we are entering a new generation of history documentaries. AI gives us the ability to bring stories, places and historical worlds to the screen that were previously beyond the economics of documentary production. For international audiences, that creates a new level of immersion and visual ambition.” Bochnacki also stated the film “explores the moment when nature stopped being simply observed or studied, and began to be staged, dramatized and consumed as entertainment.”
Producer Enora Contant explained the impetus for the documentary stemmed from a fascination with a tiger scene in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.” She noted the common fascination with the idea of men being thrown to wild beasts, but a lack of focus on the animals themselves: “Like many viewers, I was deeply struck by the tiger scene in Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator.’ It brought back those stories we first encounter at school – of men being thrown to wild beasts in Roman arenas – which fascinate us as much as they terrify us. And yet, one question is rarely asked: Where did all these animals come from? We know a great deal about the fate of the men who took part in the Roman games, but far less about the animals themselves.”
Contant further explained the significance of the Venationes in ancient Rome, stating they were “at the heart of Roman social and political life” and “a demonstration of power.” She added that bringing exotic animals to Rome was “a way of displaying the extent of the world Rome had conquered,” embodying a world that was both “magnificent and terrifying.” The documentary uses AI to recreate the capture expeditions, animal transportation, and backstage areas of the Colosseum. The film premiered out of competition at the Cannes AI Film Festival and will be screened for international buyers at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre on September 8.
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