The new 4K UHD six-part documentary series will air on the North American channel from Monday September 12th.
‘Sacred Sites’ is informed by recent discoveries and new scientific research, offering insights into some of the world’s most hallowed shrines, temples and monuments.
Some of these mysteries revolve around what a new Vatican archive discovery means for the Knights Templar for example, or the origins of the ancient Egyptian book of the dead.
The Smithsonian Channel commissioned Tile Films to produce the series in 2015 following the success of the pilot episode on the channel the year previously. The channel has over 30 million households subscribed in the US and Canada.
This is a recent project in a longstanding relationship between Tile Films and the channel. In the course of production, ‘Sacred Sites’ employed over 200 crew, cast and production personnel.
The project was executive produced by Stephen Rooke of Tile Films and David Royle and Tim Evans of Smithsonian.
Rooke (Wrecking the Rising) also directed ‘Sacred Sites’, which was filmed in fourteen countries. Head of Development David Ryan (After Braveheart) both wrote and researched the project.
He stated: “It was a real labour of love making ‘Sacred Sites. We were delighted to work with the Smithsonian Channel to produce a series that showcases these amazing places in stunning 4K, and also highlights the ground-breaking new research that is being done.”
The series was also produced with the support of Section 481, Ireland’s Film Corporation Tax Credit. “It wouldn’t have been possible to make ‘Sacred Sites’ without this funding,” said Stephen. “Section 481 was a crucial part of the financial plan for this series, as it has been for many of Tile Films’ creative documentaries.”
