Calling All Aliens

Are we alone in the universe? This is the question at the heart of the work carried out by the SETI community, which has been trying to capture signals of extraterrestrial intelligence with huge radio telescopes since the 1960s. Since 1977, a golden gramophone record has been travelling through space. The Voyager record contains greetings in 55 languages and music from Mother Earth. 30 years later, some researchers even want to load human DNA on a rocket. But this plan is causing trouble. In a worst case scenario, we are inviting hostile invaders to take control over the earth. Do we really want to give away our most important secret to everybody? This two part documentary shows us a world where science and fantasy mingle, and where fictions inspire real research. "Calling All Aliens" shows the desperate yet hopeful believers behind their monstrous telescopes. In 2007, their search will reach a new dimension. With 350 satellite dishes, each one measuring six meters in diameter, the world's most gigantic telescope array ever built will be tuned in to detect the message that could change the world. Director Christian Schidlowski has exclusive access. His uncle is one of the world's leading experts on our cosmos.