Unternehmen Xarifa
(1954)
Also known as: Under the Caribbean
An absorbing exploration of the underwater world, Unternehmen Xarifa (Under the Caribbean) documents award-winning marine photographer Hans Hass and his wife Lotte on their 1953 research expedition. The first German film produced in techni-colour, the production follows their journey through the Galapagos Archipelago, Cocos Islands and the Caribbean, exploring the habits of a number of fish and marine mammals.
Detailing a wealth of marine behaviour never captured on film before, the production includes the first ever footage of sperm whales underwater. Memorable scenes depict the arrival of scores of sharks, drawn to the blood produced as one of these magnificent creatures is harpooned.
Offering a new insight into this tropical environment, Unternehmen Xarifa was hugely popular, its commercial success allowing the filmmaking couple to buy their research vessel Xafira, from which they recorded many more of their future productions.
Unternehmen Xarifa is available as part of the POLARFILM Hans Hass Klassic-Edition.
