Microcosmos (1996)

A documentary on insect life in meadows and ponds.

Directors:

Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérennou

Writers:

Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérennou

Stars:

Kristin Scott Thomas, Jacques Perrin

8 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jacques Perrin	...	Récitant / Narrator (French version) (voice)
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Narrator (English version) (voice)

Storyline

A documentary of insect life in meadows and ponds, using incredible close-ups, slow motion, and time-lapse photography. It includes bees collecting nectar, ladybugs eating mites, snails mating, spiders wrapping their catch, a scarab beetle relentlessly pushing its ball of dung uphill, endless lines of caterpillars, an underwater spider creating an air bubble to live in, and a mosquito hatching.

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Plot Keywords:

meadow | spider | insect | slow motion | underwater | 

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Taglines:

Life. Death. War. Birth.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

France Switzerland Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

6 September 1996 (Switzerland)

Also Known As:

Microcosmos

Filming Locations:

Monts et Lacs du Lévézou, Aveyron, France

Box Office

Budget:

CHF5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$35,189, 13 October 1996

Gross USA:

$1,433,210

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,433,210

Company Credits

Production Co:

Galatée Films, France 2 Cinéma, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min 75 min (Miramax)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie's only dialogue is narration at the beginning and end.

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Quotes

Narrator (English version): [beginning narration] A meadow in early morning, somewhere on Earth. Hidden here is a world as vast as our own, where the weeds are like impenetrable jungles, the stones are mountains, and even the smallest pond becomes an ocean. Time passes differently here: an hour is like a day, a day is like a season, and the passing of a season is a lifetime. But to observe this world, we must fall silent now, and listen to its murmurs.

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Crazy Credits

In the end credits: Le Conseil Général de L'Aveyron and SIVOM des Monts et Lacs du Lévezou extend the adventure in the world of insects at the Jean-Henri Fabre Center of Saint-Léons in Lévezou, opening in 1998.

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Connections

Referenced in The Quickie (2001)

User Reviews

Amazing detail of another world

This film gives an incredible account of insects and other little creatures many of which are known to home gardeners who are continually fighting a battle against them. But here we see the insect life in all its intriguing detail and wondrous colour. The photography is superb. It's a pity more attention was not given to the sound which comes and goes in an unpredictable fashion. There is very little commentary so one must just accept the beauty of each particular shot. One does not have to be a zoologist to enjoy this strange world the inhabiatnts of which outnumber humans on planet earth.

There is some sound e.g. the flutter of wings and the buzzing of bees but much of the film is silent as one might expect in a world of insects. Music accompanies some of the scenes adding a degree of drama. Two slimy snails are seen touching and fondling each other indicating unmistakably that foreplay has begun and sexual union will follow as the choral music climaxes. The photographers must have a rare patience to record such intimate and detailed incidents.

The film is not without its humorous moments. I thought the caterpillars marching in single file were an absolute gem and evoked genuine laughter. Fascinating too was Mr. Spider working at lightning speed as he wrapped in a shroud his most unfortunate victim.

I found it even more enjoyable on second viewing.