Microcosmos

We recently went to watch Microcosmos (not high, despite many who claim it as the only way  to experience this movie) on the big screen at the BYU International Cinema. It's an award-winning french film entirely of insects in their element-up close and incredible.

Initially our whole family was watching it, but Canary (just learning to talk) kept narrating for everyone, "Bu-fly"  "Wa-er" "Big!" She loved it, but afraid others wouldn't, Mr. Owl chivalrously walked campus for the duration of the film. At home Kingfisher was adamant about not wanting to go watch it, but it took 4 taps and a jerk to wake him from his cinematic trance and leave too.

It was gorgeous. To the point where I was totally entranced by an ethereal fairy emerging from her mystic lagoon, only to later realize it was a mosquito! Ugh! I hate mosquitoes. But it wasn't emotional manipulation--so I had no one to blame but my eyes and nature's own beauty.

In fact, what sets this film apart from most, and what I loved about it, was the absence of a sentimental storyline voice-over by some celebrity. It also lacked anthropomorphizing and editing to aid the stupid viewer in grasping some straw of connection with the natural world. This film expects more of its audience and doesn't tamper with perfection. No talking, minimal music, and no obvious fancy editing.
Just magnified clips of life happening; relentless fighting (stag beetles of course), meticulous working (ants), endless eating (caterpillars), and some unabashed loving (snails, yes...snails). The film is rated G, despite the revolting love scene between two snails set to opera music. I'm sure the filmmakers got just the response they wanted from our audience's snickers and head shaking. Opera music. Snails. I'll never see them the same again...