Hidden Spain

On a journey from the northern to southern regions of Spain, both markedly different from one another geographically, Hidden Spain presents an extraordinary array of information and knowledge pertaining to the wildlife contained in the counry. It devotes about one to three minutes of screentime to each plant, animal, or concept shown. Examples of the many species presented include the blue whales of the northern seas, the extremely rare species of brown bear of the Cantabrian mountains, the tool-wielding Egyptian vulture, and much much more.

But what makes Hidden Spain so fantastic, in addition to the more obvious assets of detailed narration and absolutely stunning camerwork, is the atmosphere it creates by also explaining the ways in which these animals and plants interact with the humans who live in the region. For example, there is one moment when a flock of lesser kestrals, a bird species, are shown to be relaxing under the large brown tiles on the tops of human buildings in a Mediterranean town. Likewise, both migrating orcas and Spanish fishermen are shown to be competing for the same prey, the blue fin tuna, in the Straits of Gibraltar, and it isn't clear who's winning. By inserting moments like these, the documentary weaves a larger story of human-animal-plant interaction that's supremely gratifying to behold. Even though the listlike structure and educational subject matter of the show might bore some viewers who aren't interested in the topics, this documentary is sure to be a huge treat for viewers interested in geography, wildlife, education, and other similar topics.