From July 9th to August 20th every Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. on ORF 2 and on ORF ON
Vienna (OTS) – Whether Wörthersee, Kalkalpen National Park or the border regions of Austria, whether Ötscher, Lungau, Bregenz Forest or Schönbrunn Zoo – in seven episodes this summer “Universum” presents Austria from its most beautiful side. From July 9, 2024, on Tuesdays at 8:15 p.m. on ORF 2 and ORF ON, local natural jewels will be the focus of the “Universum” program: Kurt Mündl’s film “Wörthersee – Stage for Animals and Animals” kicks off the impressive nature documentaries made in Austria Person”.
The individual programs at a glance:
“Wörthersee – stage for animals and people” (July 9th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2) A film by Kurt Mündl
Lake Wörthersee is not only one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria, but also an internationally known body of water. It is a stage for world-famous composers, architects and Hollywood stars. Beyond the hustle and bustle, the scenic waters, with their islands and peninsulas, are a natural jewel, some of which have been declared a “Natura 2000” area. The film looks behind the “scenes” of Lake Wörthersee. A co-production by Power of Earth and ORF, supported by the State of Carinthia and TV Fund Austria.
“Back to the jungle – Kalkalpen National Park” (July 16, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2)
A film by Rita and Michael Schlamberger
Over a period of more than three years, Rita and Michael Schlamberger captured the secret of the untouched jungle in the Limestone Alps. A co-production by ScienceVision and the Kalkalpen National Park in collaboration with the ORF, the Austrian Federal Forests, with support from the Ministry for an Austria Worth Living, the State of Upper Austria and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
“Austria – Land of Green Borders” (July 23, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2) A film by Gernot Lercher
The 100-minute film takes you to the most impressive and contrasting border regions in Austria. Some of them are loud and heavily frequented, others quiet and forgotten – and these are among the most spectacular natural landscapes in all of Central Europe: such as Lake Neusiedl, the March-Thaya floodplains, the Carnic Alps, the high alpine region around the Piz Buin, Lake Constance or the alpine pastures in the Salzburg/Bavarian border area. A co-production by ORF, Interspot Film and BMBF, supported by TV Fund Austria, Cinestyria, State of Lower Austria, State of Vorarlberg, State of Upper Austria, Burgenland Tourismus, State of Salzburg, State of Carinthia and Cine Tirol.
“Ötscher – In the Kingdom of the Gentle Giant” (July 30, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2) A film by Franz Hafner
The Ötscher mountain range lies on the eastern edge of the Alps. Its summit is less than 2,000 meters high – and yet the mountain dominates the entire region, a landscape of superlatives: Not only is there one of the coldest places in Austria and the darkest night sky in the country, here is also Austria’s “Grand Canyon” with the Ötschergräben. to find and the last large patch of jungle. Director Franz Hafner shows these natural wonders and tells how people today try to live in harmony with nature. A co-production by ORF, Interspot Film and BR, supported by Fernsehenfonds Austria, Kulturförder Niederösterreich and Cinestyria.
“Lungau – wilderness in the heart of the Tauern” (August 6th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2)
A film by Waltraud Paschinger
Surrounded by the mountains of the Gurktal Alps and the mighty peaks of the Hohen and Niedere Tauern, the Lungau is Salzburg’s southeasternmost region. The team from the production company dreiD.at spent well over a year discovering and portraying Lungau for “Universum”. The film takes you into the fascinating world of these natural mountain and valley landscapes and opens your eyes to largely untouched nature – and to animal stories that otherwise usually remain hidden from our eyes. A co-production by ORF, BR, dreiD.at in collaboration with ORF-Enterprise, supported by the state of Salzburg and the Lungau regional association.
“Hermann Maier: My Home – The Bregenzerwald” (August 13th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2)
A film by Andrea Albrecht
Hermann Maier is leading Austria’s natural paradises for “Universum” for the seventh time. The Bregenzerwald lies in Vorarlberg, bordered between the Rhine Valley, the Arlberg and the Großer Walsertal. It is the setting for an exploration tour by ski legend Hermann Maier, during which he goes on a hike to the Kanisfluh together with Olympic ski jumping champion Toni Innauer, who knows the region better than almost anyone else as “Wälder”. A co-production by ORF and Interspot Film, with support from Fernsehenfonds Austria and the state of Vorarlberg.
“Schönbrunner Animal Stories – Life in the Zoo” (August 20, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2)
A film by Lukas Beck
The Schönbrunn Zoo is much more than the oldest zoo in the world. It combines nature from all continents on 17 hectares in the middle of the city. It is a hub for species conservation, a historic world cultural heritage site, home to 8,000 animals, a workplace for 350 employees and one of Vienna’s most popular attractions. Furthermore, the zoo is a living and experiencing space for people and animals at the same time. The “Universum” portrait – a co-production by ORF, METAFILM and BMUKK, funded by TV Fund Austria, Film Fund Vienna and Cinestyria – takes a look behind the scenes and shows everyday life at the zoo that remains hidden from visitors.