I’ve been working away behind the scenes on the crowdfunding documentary proposal I mentioned here a few days ago, and it’s now starting to take shape. Here’s a sneak peek of the (first draft) image I’ll be putting on Kickstarter:
However, I’m finding it hard to pin down a good title for the documentary, because I want it to cover so much ground:
* pirates and corsairs in the Indian Ocean, and of the truths and lies surrounding them: about desperation, sea-faring, trade, riches, and greed;
* the secret history of Bernardin Nageon de l’Estang (and indeed of the missing corsair I’ve blogged about several times);
* early 20th century treasure hunters in a country wracked by poverty and racial inequality;
* the dynamiting and despoiling of a country’s natural resources in the name of treasure;
* modern day Mauritian treasure hunters, maps, and technology;
* the various versions of the treasure documents, and what is (and isn’t) genuine;
* using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to look for lava tubes; and perhaps even uncovering the real history…
Anyway, here are some possible film titles, please leave comments below to let me know what you think what would be best:
(1) Hunting Pirate Treasure
(2) Dreams of Pirate Gold
(3) What Lies Beneath Mauritius?
(4) Does X Mark The Spot?
(5) Thirty Million Ingots
(6) Pirate Truths, Pirate Lies
(7) Gold! Diamonds! Pickaxes!
(8) The Gold Bug
All alternative suggestions gratefully received too! 🙂
Depending on the audience you want to attract:
*The Mad Pirate Movie
*Down among the Dead Men
*Greed, Gold and Delusion: the story of Mauritius
*At the end of the Rainbow: phantom treasures of the Indies
*To the end of his days: portait of a treasure hunter.
I think you have it already with The Missing Corsair.
“Mauritian Gold”
Roy Heselden, Matthew Dean, Diane: all good suggestions, thank you very much! Inspired by these, here is some more kindling to throw onto the fire:
* The Quest For Gold
* The Invisible Pirates
* The Corsairs’ Cave
* The Lost Cavern
* Gold! Gold! Gold!
* The Gold Delusion? [apologies to Richard Dawkins]
Title: “Documentary Treasures” ?
bd
Pirate Quest – The Search for Treasure!
sorth and simple: call it:
Yarr!
Shakespeare on locating the pirate hoard: “Measure for Treasure”
Or just go for clickbait:
“Hot Treasure-Hunters Uncover Big Chests on Steamy Mauritius Beach”
Pyrates cache
I actually like “The Gold Delusion”. It’s almost philosophical, the parallel between material wealth and the divine, and the way we look to cipher mysteries in our desire to find a higher purpose.
I also like Thirty Million Ingots because it refers to a primary text.
Koen,
I imagine each of the suggested titles appearing in a film- or a t.v. guide – and ask, which demographic is going to say “that sounds like a must-see” -and who controls the remote?
Thanks everyone for all your comments and suggestions about possible documentary titles. I now have a working title which seems to work on numerous levels, which I’ll announce in a few days’ time with the crowdfunding proposal. You’ll like it, I’m sure. 🙂
One more, Nick: “Pirate Truth or Consequences” : Long ago, here in the US, we had a weekly TV program, called “Truth or Consequences”. Dont’cha think it’s about time we talk about the consequences offered by pirates?
bd
;->