Sacred Land

60minute Documentary Proposal – suitable for BBC Urgent Stories or Big Names Strand

Covid-19 has seen a rise in mental health sufferers and suicides. This film seeks solutions in sacred landscapes as our ancestors did. Just being in nature helps us re-connect with mother earth, bringing about a much-needed sense of peace and healing.

International award winning garden designer, author and TV presenter (BBC’s Chelsea Flower Show) Andy Sturgeon steps away from presenting garden programmes to explore mental health, drawing on animism and his Japanese research of how nature quiets the mind.

We open on Andy walking towards the guardian of Kingly Vale, who reveals Grandfather Tree’s umbilical cord travelling across the earth to the sons and grandson Yews, illustrating symbolic connection to mother earth and the cycle of everlasting life. At sacred grove Andy meets chief druid, participates in ancient ceremony and shares therapeutic sophrology with a mental health sufferer.

In other landscapes Andy meets archaeologists, mental health experts and sufferers, experiencing outdoor ceremonies with hedge priest, a dip with wild-swimmer, meditation with former monk, exploring positive therapeutic benefits of stone, water and trees on mental health. Avebury brings a turn, when expert archaeologist re-interprets ritualistic human sacrifice, what it meant to our ancestors and, what it means to us now..

Finally, at listed writer’s hut Andy reveals the present-day family connection between the guardian of Kingly Vale, being the son of the deceased writer, connecting Grandfather Tree’s umbilical cord from Sussex to Devon, further representing our connection to mother earth and the continuing cycle of everlasting life.

Expansive shots, aerial photography of luscious landscapes, intimate close-ups of ancient monuments, presenter and guests coupled with inspirational and thought-provoking stories will appeal to ages 8 to 100 – anyone interested in mental health, nature and history.

Suitable for BBC Urgent Stories or Big Names strand.