Last updated July 25, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Jenny reviews The Kingdom – How Fungi Made Our World, written and directed by Annamarie Talas and winner of Best Film at SCINEMA 2018.
Still image from The Kingdom – How Fungi Made Our World, winner of Best Film SCINEMA 2018.
Fungi reveal the interconnectedness of nature
With production credits spanning across Canada and Australia, The Kingdom: How Fungi Made Our World is a film that truly highlights the interconnectedness of our world both in name and in nature.
The film starts off by praising fungi as the lifeblood of civilisation. But when the spread of fungi threatens our existence, it is up to science to explain how, who and why? The film’s catalyst for debate is what must happen next in a climate that is quickly changing both science and the environment.
Like fungi, human tenure on planet earth is demonstrated by the processes of chemistry, biology, earth and social sciences; the sustainability of this tenure is also reliant upon the interactions of these disciplines. The way the sciences interconnect with the environment is perhaps the most important take-home message of this film. Aiding the process is the celebration of voices from leading scientists across the globe. Grounded with insightful narration, the commentary is intertwined with beautiful cinematography that captures the fleeting moments and intricate details of fungi growth.
The Kingdom is inspiring cinematography as well as critical commentary on the advancements of science in the face of climate change. And it makes us think about how even the smallest of changes can result in something much more than the eye can see.
Related:
Hunting for ghost mushrooms
The fungus that could avert the global warming crisis
SCINEMA International Science Film Festival is showing now around the country – Brisbane 6 June, Sydney 7 June, Canberra 13 June, Melbourne 14 June, Perth 21 June. Thanks to major sponsor BBC Earth.
Click here for bookings
*Disclaimer: the reviewer was supplied with a complimentary ticket.
