National Geographic Abu Dhabi recently released a new docuseries exploring the lesser-known aspects of Egypt through aerial shots and drone filming, titled “Egypt from Above”. With two 45-minute episodes, the YouTube series delves into the Pharaonic civilization, and how artists and engineers from that time managed to leave us masterpieces that have persisted for thousands of years.
The best thing about “Egypt from Above” is that it does not focus on Egypt’s history alone; it shows the monuments of the past juxtaposed with the achievements of the present. The series also delves into the cultural heritage of Egypt, focusing on the day-to-day lives and traditions of the country’s diverse population.
With stunning scenes of Nubia and its indigenous people, the first episode takes viewers on a journey to the south of Egypt. Using drone technology and a number of mind-blowing aerial shots, the documentary shows us how a father teaches his six-year-old son how to fish using the ancient Nubian methods. Then, we travel with the camera to South Sinai, to the secluded monastery of St. Catherine, where we can see how 1,500 years of tradition were able to survive until today.
The crew also tapped into the lives of the indigenous Sinai Bedouin, and how, to this day, most of them still shepherd flocks of sheep and goats across the precarious mountains of Sinai. Continuing along the theme of connecting past and present, the documentary shows the enigmatically breathtaking tomb treasures of Tutankhamen and then picks up again at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to open its doors in 2020.
The second episode opens with the New Administrative Capital and the defying effort being put to complete the project before the deadline. The map then takes us just south of Luxor, where the Karnak Temple Complex lies, with its rich history and awe-inspiring grandeur. Heading to the coast, the crew takes us to the beautiful Red Sea community and resorts of El Gouna, giving us a unique view of its peculiar and creative landscape design. Across the sea, in Sinai, the docuseries give us a glimpse of the bohemian town of Dahab, where diving centres and Bedouin tribes are unifying against a common enemy, plastic.
From date harvests in Siwa to the impressive 100-kilometre marathon at the Pyramids, the documentary shows Egypt in a whole new light and is nothing short of breathtaking.
