Synopsis for the Film

One of the greatest mysteries of the world lay unseen, underneath the unsuspecting calm of the river Coa in northeastern Portugal. In the late 1980s the secret would be uncovered and the whole world would be privy to thousands of priceless engravings dating back to the Paleolithic era carefully preserved by the river. Out of the rare engravings of human and animal representations and abstract depictions, researchers and archeologists would get a rare insight into prehistoric societies. This discovery of the Paleolithic complex also had another unanticipated implication. The controversial hydroelectric power plant project that was proposed along the Coa river valley thus effectively drowning it would be vetoed off the planning boards inspite of the tentativeness shown by influential bodies like the UNESCO as the general public and scientific community raised their voices and picketed in a successful campaign that suspended all construction operations and the river Coa still flows calm and the mystery of its valley is now a protected and treasured monument for all to discover, explore and learn. Director Bouvret’s film gently guides its viewers through a journey along the river and through the prehistoric engravings into the vivid world of a time bygone.

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