Microcosmos

Dir: Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérennou

1996

*****

Microcosmos, or Microcosmos: People of the Grass, as it is delightfully known as in France, is a stunning look at the world of insects and other small invertebrates. Their world seems tiny to us but directors Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou prove that there is much more to it and what is happening around our feet is far from small. It’s hard not to be utterly transfixed by the detail, the colour and the behaviour of the creatures featured, but be aware, this is not a nature documentary as you’d expect from the likes of David Attenborough, no, this is all about the visuals, and a little about the technology. My first thought after watching Microcosmos was that it must have been an awfully painstaking film to make but now I’ve given it some thought I’m not so sure. Firstly, it should be viewed as a record of behaviour and interaction, rather than an analysis or education in the classical sense. If you were the sort of kid that caught bugs in a jar and watched them then this is for you (if you were the sort of kid that caught bugs and found original ways in which to kill them, this film will make you feel sick and so you should). It is purely observational. While patience was indeed required (it took three years to complete) it was a very different process to that of your average nature documentary. Firstly, not all of the insects were in their natural environment. Situations were controlled, the bugs were always in front of the camera, they didn’t have to sit in the middle of a reservation, indeed, they probably didn’t have to sit anywhere, the insects took care of the footage and the incredible cameras and natures wonder took control of the cinematography, so the all that was left was the waiting and, I imagine, a mountain of editing. The background, angles and control of the imagery makes Microcosmos what it is; a nature documentary with a very different approach and a very different purpose. I can’t pretend it isn’t frustrating not knowing quite why the bugs are behaving in the way that they are but at the same time it does kind of grab you and wash over you in a way that most nature documentaries don’t. Indeed, since Microcosmos was released in 1996, TV nature documentaries include far more dreamlike sequences with little or no narration that allows the viewer to just appreciate nature without interruption. Sometimes it is nice to enjoy something without necessarily understanding it.

Narrated by Jacques Perrin in the original French version and Kristin Scott Thomas in the English version, the words often seem unimportant, but of course that’s always going to be down to personal preference. Much of the footage has been used by advertising agencies (a popular chocolate bar that asks the public to ‘take a break’ on British television if I remember correctly) and music videos, such as "You Don't Love Me (Like You Used to Do)" by The Philosopher Kings). I feel this cheapens the film somewhat but after three years and all that editing it is probably fair enough to want to make a bit of extra cash. Those cameras must have been expensive after all.