I chose these two stills because they represent a common theme throughout the documentary. Climate change and evolution, down to a molecular and single celled level is constantly discussed. In the first still, the science fiction movie they are watching is dealing with evolved creatures that are now taking over the world. Much like the science fiction movie they are watching, life not visible to the naked eye is doing just that. Herzog really gets the viewer thinking about how we as humans evolved from single celled organisms and in the second still, the scientists discuss how this single celled organism is actually demonstrating intelligent processes by separating and gathering grains of sand to protect its flimsy body by forming a rigid exoskeleton. Herzog’s open ended questions to experts on the topics they are discussing leave much up to vivid interpretation by the viewer and is much more interesting to watch than a cut and dried, scripted documentary. The comparisons between the science fiction and the wild, undisturbed wilderness and vast expanses of underwater scenery place the viewer in a position to really start to question their existence and the reasons for our day to day actions and choices in life.
Them! Us!
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