Microcosmos

Microcosmos (Microcosmos: Le Peuple de l’Herbe) (1996)

Runtime: 76 minutes

Directed by: Claude Nuridsany/Marie Perennou

Starring: A bunch of insects, other similar critters and briefly, narration from Kristin Scott Thomas

From: Truly too many companies to list… including Miramax, apparently

Who knew the lives of insects could be so enthralling? For years now I’ve heard of this odd little French documentary where for three years, insects, gastropods (snails & slugs) and spiders are shown in a French meadow performing what are everyday tasks for those creatures but for humanity it is rare to see a dung beetle roll a giant ball of dung, a ladybug fighting against ants & snail fornication… yes, that happened.

This is on the Criterion Channel currently as part of its Surreal Nature Films block, alongside random shorts even I hadn’t heard of before, Them!, and Phase IV. Why is it surreal? The English language version features narration from Kristin Scott Thomas—to be exact, she says a few sentences several minutes, says that nature will speak for itself, then a few more sentences right before the climactic scene of a certain creature emerging from the water. 

Otherwise, the stunning images of all those creatures shot close-up as if they were all giants… that was augmented by one heck of a score from Bruno Coulais-sometimes avant-garde and always bold. If you enjoy nature documentaries and don’t have an adverse phobia against insects (I’m someone who’s been NOPE to that bug scene from Temple of Doom and I had no problems with Microcosmos) then this should be a rewarding 76 minutes for you.