EPISODE 1
EPISODE 2
EPISODE 3
EPISODE 4
EPISODE 5
EPISODE 6
OTZI: Curse of the Iceman, is a drama that offers a unique look at humanity across thousands of years through the miraculous discovery of Otzi, the oldest perfectly preserved body ever found. This epic six part series chronicles the miraculous real life saga to solve the oldest murder mystery on the planet and depicts prehistoric life in the most honest and realistic way ever done in cinema.It will be, in the strictest sense, a sweeping epic. It is as much an immersive thriller set in prehistoric times, as it is a forensic procedural set in the aftermath of the most influential archaeological discovery since King Tut. The limited six part series will follow interweaving mythology across millennia. Otzi will be far more than a procedural, and to the extent that it breaks new ground, it will do so because of larger, universal themes that have to do with the human condition, the nature of our deepest conflicts, and the nature of culture. Otzi is inspired by films like 2001: A Space Odyessy, The New World and The Revenant, and exists as a vehicle for making statements about our humanity and evolution.
DESCRIPTION
EPISODE STRUCTURE
The six episode limited series will follow storylines set in both ‘modern’ and ‘prehistoric’ times. Each episode will adhere to a strict structure:
The first half of the episode — will be set in modern times, following the interweaving stories of the hikers who discovered the body; the scientists who investigate OTZI using cutting edge technology and forensic techniques; the press, the politicians; and the modern homicide detective working the ancient cold case -- whose lives are all forever changed by this miraculous discovery.
Midway through each episode — there will be an elegant, stylistic shift that takes us thousands of years back in time, revealing the next step in the prehistoric story.
The second half of the episode — will be set in prehistoric times. This chaotic story in the present day will parallel a delicate and authentic portrayal of prehistoric life, as we are immersed in a mythic ancient culture, and witness the dramatic final days in Otzi’s life.
EPISODE 1 - THE DISCOVERY / THE BLOOD RAIN
Helmut & Erika Simon, a couple hiking in the Alps, miraculously stumble across a corpse, frozen head down in the snow. They report this bizarre discovery to a local innkeeper as they contemplate what to do - create a search party and excavate the body. The mystery of the body grows, and suspicion of foul play captivates the small mountain community. Helmut and Erika, a working class couple, return to their mundane lives in Germany. The international media surround the discovery - the body is thought to be 100’s of years old, a priceless relic. Helmut and Erika become local celebrities, while Helmut dreams of riches.
In the neolithic period, we follow a pack of prehistoric men, including Otzi and Gero, on a persistence hunt stretched out over days. At the edge of starvation, these hunters finally kill a massive Red Deer and ritually skin and butcher it. They return home with their spoils to a small settlement, where Maata the ancient Matriarch of their tribe has fallen deathly ill. Her dying prophecy is that her pregnant daughter Hina, who carries their unborn prophet, must give birth in their ancestral home — to save the future of their people. Maata dies, then a massive, red “blood rain” falls, a bad omen that sends the tribe into a panic."
EPISODE 2 - A WORLDWIDE SENSATION
By sheer luck, Dr. Konrad Spindler of the University of Innsbruck answers a general phone call to the Archeology Department. He helicopters through snow to the scene of a crime. His autopsy reveals the corpse is the oldest perfectly preserved mummy ever found - and laying beside him, a bearskin coat, a copper axe, a quiver of broken arrows, a half finished bow - priceless artifacts dating 5000 years back to the Copper Era.The announcement starts an international political and media frenzy, setting Italian politicians vs. Austrian. Who has the right to the body? Drs. Andreas Lippert and Andalusia Pedrotti hurry to start an excavation before winter. Spindler wins the rights to keep the body in Austria and takes control over the research: but who is the Iceman? As scientists dig to answer the question, Dr. Spindler realizes the opportunity for media attention and corporate sponsorship and puts a gag order on all researchers. Lippert and Pedrotti must sign the document, and forgo their own book deals and outside opportunities, or they can’t conduct their excavation. They reluctantly sign. Dr. Spindler controls the narrative.
Otzi, Gero, Hina, a midwife, and a group of 5 others - the Pilgrims - travel through the forest to their ancestral home, which is now in the territory of enemy tribe, the Ve’tevas. According to the prophecy, they go through an enchanted forest where the midwife guides Hina by scent to their ancestral tree. They drink the honey and are given spiritual sight. In his hallucination, Otzi slays a monster and pulls a human child from its stomach. In the morning, they arrive at their ancestral home and prepare the maternal sanctuary for Hina to give birth. While burying Maata’s heart in the mountains, Otzi and Gero happen across a massive rock of silver, large enough to make their people rich.
EPISODE 3 - THE MUMMY GOES TO MARKET
Preserving the ancient body costs money. Freezing, thawing, maintenance, security. Enter Charlotte Sengthaler, head of an edgy PR firm, tasked with raising money for the rising costs, and for construction of the ambitious South Tyrol Museum of Archeology to house the Iceman. After initially clashing over principles, Dr. Spindler takes Charlotte’s message to heart — create a controlled media splash to attract investment. Suddenly popular icons in the public narrative, Helmut and Erika Simon enjoy the spotlight, but it comes with no money. Helmut demands his share. Radiologist reports: a defensive wound on the body’s hand, cracked ribs, a crushed skull - the research adds up to a prehistoric tale of violence on the frontier. Charlotte calls a massive press conference to announce Spindler’s findings and his upcoming book. At the conference Dr. Spindler weaves a chaotic tale of the death and destruction of a Neolithic tribe that leads to an injured man freezing to death at the top of the Alps. Spindler’s ‘Disaster Theory’ becomes famous. The money pours in.
At the maternal sanctuary, the prehistoric pilgrims rejoice at the the fulfillment of Maata’s prophecy and decide what to do with their new treasure. Otzi and Gero take the silver to the Ve’tevas market - in hopes to trade it for ownership of their ancestral home. But the Ve’tevas turn down the offer and claim the silver isn’t worth the land. When Gero makes an offer of silver for goods - salt, fur, weapons, medicines, and tools - the traders accept, but Otzi refuses to part with the silver, and they leave the market
EPISODE 4 - THE BISHOP & THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE
Dr. Spindler cashes in on speaking engagements while Dr. Lippert questions the validity of Spindler’s Disaster Theory, which has gained worldwide attention. Drs. Lippert and Pedrotti conduct an unauthorized excavation high in the Alps where they unearth a new artifact and send samples away to botanist Dr. Klaus Oeggl. Feeling ostracized from fame and fortune, Helmut Simon petitions for his portion of the profits. His reluctance to accept a paltry settlement from the University strains his relationship with Erika. Without consulting Erika, Helmut remortgages the house to pay for the mounting lawyer fees. When Spindler returns to the University and discovers Lippert’s disloyalty, Spindler fires Lippert.
The year is 1465, and a local Bishop is in constant battle with the Duke of Tyrol for control over the local Alpine silver mines. The story ends with the Bishop being beheaded for treason against the Holy Roman Empire.
EPISODE 5 - THE BODY RETURNS TO BOLZANO
In his own laboratory away from the eye of Dr. Spindler and other researchers, Dr. Oeggl analyzes Lippert and Pedrotti’s new artifacts. Oeggl's walk through the woods reveals a practical discovery: a maple leaf full of clues debunks Spindler’s famous theory once and for all. When Helmut isn’t invited to the opening of the new Iceman museum in South Tyrol, he has a violent altercation with a teacher at his school and is fired. Fearing the body would be stolen, Dr. Spindler orders a midnight transportation of the corpse to the Iceman museum. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Oeggl reports the results of his findings to all scientists and press. It’s officially public - Dr. Spindler’s Disaster Theory was pure fiction. Dr. Spindler’s tenure as Head of Research comes to a humiliating end.
The Ve’tevas arrive at the maternal sanctuary and threaten the pilgrims, breaking the ritual safety of the space. While Otzi blames Gero for their arrival, and Gero maintains his innocence, Hina falls ill. Through an exhausting labor, Hina finally gives birth. But the child is stillborn. Devastated, Hina loses all hope. Otzi and Gero fight over who is to blame, Hina walks to a cliff and throws herself over the edge.
EPISODE 6 - HELMUT'S LAST STAND
25 years have passed - Detective Alexander Horn dives in as a cold case detective. Using the latest criminology techniques, he and a team of radiologists discover an arrow lodged in the back shoulder of the body. Cause of death: blood loss from the wound. Murder. The trajectory of the arrow proves he was shot from behind, unaware of his assailant.
In the hospital succumbing to multiple sclerosis, Dr. Spindler receives a final visit from Lippert.After losing his final battle in court, Helmut Simon takes a solo hike into the Alps and is injured in a snow storm. His body is found frozen 8 days later by a group of hikers, under a sheet of snow and ice.
Otzi tells Gero to take the rest of the pilgrims home while he journeys to a tribal menhir high in the mountains to bury the silver. He settles for the night by the fire. In the morning, he hears others on the mountainside. He finds the same Ve’teva traders and from 100 feet away, he lets an arrow fly. He kills one and the others take cover. They give chase and one by one, Otzi kills them all. When he returns to their campsite, he finds the first man he killed. It’s Gero. In tears he buries his brother. As the sun sets, Otzi consoles himself in ritual by a fire. Suddenly, an arrow flies high from the heavens and lands directly in his back.
THE WORLD TURNS
In his own laboratory away from the eye of Dr. Spindler and other researchers, Dr. Oeggl analyzes Lippert and Pedrotti’s new artifacts. Oeggl's walk through the woods reveals a practical discovery: a maple leaf full of clues debunks Spindler’s famous theory once and for all. When Helmut isn’t invited to the opening of the new Iceman museum in South Tyrol, he has a violent altercation with a teacher at his school and is fired. Fearing the body would be stolen, Dr. Spindler orders a midnight transportation of the corpse to the Iceman museum. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Oeggl reports the results of his findings to all scientists and press. It’s officially public - Dr. Spindler’s Disaster Theory was pure fiction. Dr. Spindler’s tenure as Head of Research comes to a humiliating end.
The Ve’tevas arrive at the maternal sanctuary and threaten the pilgrims, breaking the ritual safety of the space. While Otzi blames Gero for their arrival, and Gero maintains his innocence, Hina falls ill. Through an exhausting labor, Hina finally gives birth. But the child is stillborn. Devastated, Hina loses all hope. Otzi and Gero fight over who is to blame, Hina walks to a cliff and throws herself over the edge.
