“Tsunami: Race Against Time” Coming Soon To Disney+ & Hulu
Disney has announced details on a brand-new National Geographic documentary series called “Tsunami: Race Against Time”, which provides a 360-degree view into the heart-stopping events of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that took over 225,000 lives.
From executive producers Tanya Winston and Danny Horan of multiple award-winning Blast Films and directed by Daniel Bogado, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker of Nat Geo’s “9/11: One Day In America,” the series weaves newly discovered footage with never-before-heard personal accounts from survivors, scientists, journalists and fearless rescuers who were all witnesses to the tragic event.
Three years in the making, producers unearthed approximately 300 hours of archival footage, including many never-before-seen moments, from around the world and conducted interviews with over 100 individuals, some speaking on the record for the first time about their experience. As a result of this massive effort by the filmmaking team, “Tsunami: Race Against Time” tells a definitive story of the devastating events of December 26th, 2004.
The series not only offers a comprehensive exploration of the tsunami’s impact as it surged, leaving a deadly trail throughout 14 countries, but also shines a light on the remarkable acts of bravery and sacrifice throughout the disaster. It weaves together compelling stories of survival and heroism, featuring scientists who raced against time to understand and warn the world, journalists who uncovered the shocking reality, fearless rescuers who risked their lives to save others, and survivors who faced the unimaginable.
In addition to expertly connecting archival footage with first-person testimony, “Tsunami: Race Against Time” used billions of raw data points provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a high-resolution, moving simulation seen throughout each episode. They also worked in careful collaboration with scientists, local experts and survivors to establish timings for the arrival and spread of successive tsunami waves on the day across multiple affected coastlines.
Tom McDonald, EVP of Global Factual and Unscripted, National Geographic, said in a statement:
“Tsunami: Race Against Time” is a visceral, sensitive and gripping retelling of the terrible events of the Boxing Day tsunami. I’m immensely proud of the lengths the production team went to find never-before-seen archives, interview people who have never spoken before, and the great care with which they tell their stories. National Geographic is the storyteller of record for historic events of global significance, and following our award-winning series on 9/11 and the assassination of JFK, this series cements our commitment to telling these stories in new and surprising ways.”
Episodes of the new series include the following:
- “The Wave” – A massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean sets off a tsunami that, within minutes, arrives in the bustling city of Aceh, causing unprecedented havoc and devastation. This film follows the desperate struggle to survive of city-dwellers in Indonesia and tourists in Thailand caught in the unfolding catastrophe, as well as the scientists working against the clock to warn the world.
- “Thailand” – After a massive earthquake triggered the deadliest tsunami in recorded history, multiple waves hit Thailand. As the beaches of popular resorts are pummeled by unstoppable torrents of water, locals and tourists work together to save lives. In the chaotic aftermath, survivors separated by the waves desperately search for their loved ones.
- “Breaking News” – The tsunami hits Sri Lanka. A 1000 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter, waves wreck a train and destroy coastal cities. Doctors fight to save every life they can. As disaster spreads across the entire Indian Ocean, journalists race to break the news to the world, and people wake up to the devastating reality that their loved ones have been swept away.
- “Rescue” – In the aftermath of the deadliest tsunami in history, tourists become stranded on an island devastated by the force of the waves. With hundreds of casualties, survivors from around the world must work together to save lives. Against all odds, they manage to pull off some of the most miraculous rescues of the day. But as the water recedes, the true scale of the global calamity becomes clear.
“Tsunami: Race Against Time” is produced by Blast Films Limited for National Geographic. Executive producers for Blast Films are Tanya Winston, Danny Horan and Daniel Bogado, who also directs three episodes, and James Parris serves as series producer and directs the third episode. For National Geographic, Carolyn Payne executive produces.
“Tsunami: Race Against Time” premieres across two nights, beginning November 24th 2024, at 9/8c on National Geographic with two back-to-back episodes. All episodes will stream on November 25th 2024, on Disney+ and Hulu in the United States.
The series will also be released on the same day on the National Geographic channel and Disney+ in the United Kingdom.
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