Exclusive Expedition to Genghis Khan’s Ancient Capital Unveils Hidden History in Upcoming Documentary

French production company Pernel Media is currently working on a groundbreaking documentary that follows an expedition to Karakorum, the ancient capital of Genghis Khan’s empire. The premium history show, slated for France Télévisions’ Science Grand strand, has secured exclusive access to the 2024 expedition, led by local Mongolian archaeologists and renowned German and French experts, Jan Bemmann and Marie Favreau.

The documentary, still untitled, is being developed as a 90-minute feature along with two 45-minute episodes. The team plans to employ cutting-edge technology, including isotopic and DNA analysis, to unearth secrets that could challenge the conventional narrative of Genghis Khan as a barbarian nomadic military chief. Instead, the film aims to present a new perspective on the Mongol emperor, depicting him as a city builder, peacemaker, and promoter of progress who played a pivotal role in connecting the east and west.

The project is currently in talks with a distributor, and the documentary is set to make its debut at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers in Seattle this week. Executive producer Fabrice Frank expressed the significance of this expedition, stating, “This marks a significant turning point in our understanding of Mongolian culture and history. We aim to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of Genghis Khan, portraying him not only as a symbol of cruelty and terror but also as a figure who contributed to city development and progress.”

Fabrice Frank is leading the project as executive producer alongside Samuel Kissous, the founder of Pernel. Pernel Media’s previous credits include “Rise and Fall of the Mayas,” picked up by Nat Geo, and “Ghettoes of the Shoah” for ARTE France.