PBS, BBC Four Order Notre Dame Special-Access Doc

Windfall Films has been commissioned by BBC Four and the PBS science series NOVA for a documentary that charts the inside story of the race to save and rebuild the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris since the fire of April 15, 2019.

The one-hour Rebuilding Notre Dame: Inside the Great Cathedral Rescue will provide unique access to the men and women fighting to secure the fire-ravaged structure. It follows the unprecedented collaboration between architects, scientists and archaeologists, leading to new discoveries about the Cathedral that will help restorers bring Notre Dame back from the brink.

“To spend time over the past year inside Notre Dame was both awe-inspiring and deeply moving,” said Joby Lubman, director for Windfall Films. “This is a building that means a great deal to many around the world, so to have this remarkable access was truly humbling. The film gives a unique insight into the collaborative efforts of the architects, scientists, engineers and craftspeople who are bringing Notre Dame back to life.”

Sreya Biswas, BBC Four’s specialist factual commissioning editor, added: “It has been eye-opening to witness first-hand the race to rebuild Notre Dame in this crucial first year and have access to the amazing team of people who are trying to save it from collapse. It was a real tragedy when one of the most famous buildings in the world caught fire, and it is a privilege to be able to tell this inside story.”

“By investigating archaeological mysteries and clues from the past, we’re able to understand the fabric of one of the world’s most treasured architectural icons like never before,” said NOVA Co-Executive Producer Chris Schmidt. “And we show viewers pioneering technology that may not only be used to successfully rebuild Notre Dame but could also tell us how to keep it safe for future generations.”