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On this page: SUPER NATURE

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 23.Aug.26

Super Nature
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

dir Ed Sayers
prd Rebecca Wolff, Ed Sayers, Beth Allan
with Ed Sayers, Roger Batteault, Ami Vitale, Maya Gabeira, Jimmy Lemara, Karan Suri Talwar, Tom Merilion, Zacharia Mutai, Zoya Buckmire, Simran Ankokkar, Ollie Birt, Pedro Montero
release UK 4.Sep.26
25/UK BFI 1h22

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Using vintage Super 8 cameras, director Ed Sayers connected with 40 people around the world to document local nature on land, underwater and in the air. The silent, grainy footage is spectacular, seen through various viewpoints to capture raw glimpses of living creatures in their habitats. This optimistic film asks us to notice life around us and find creative ways to reverse the damage to our environment.

With his half-century old camera, Sayers started this project by filming seals on a Norfolk beach, intrigued by Super 8's unique ability to capture close-up detail. Inspired by French nature photographer Roger Batteault, he challenges people around the globe to film the creatures around them. We see a breathaking range of animals in gorgeous locations, including rhinos in Kenya, quails in Joshua Tree, whales in Patagonia, geese above France, sea dragons in a Tasmania reef, caterpillars, kangaroos, starfish, ibex and blue-footed boobies. There's also a volcanic eruption, flooded villages and frighteningly active war zone.

Footage is presented beyond full-frame, with fuzzy edges and glimpses of the frames above and below, plus a rather distracting sprocket flicker. The beautiful imagery is accompanied by voices in 11 languages, speaking about how filming on celluloid makes them feel closer to nature. They observe fascinating details relevant to their own cultures and situations. And in most cases, there's a second camera filming them in extraordinary environments. The wondrous variety of settings and creatures is mesmerising. All of this is edited together with a lovely fluidity by Sayers, with a subtly evocative score by Alexandra Hamilton-Ayres.

Sayers adds hopeful voiceover commentary to find connective themes. And along the way, it's observed that throwaway moments for us are major incidents for these animals. Cameras also capture several species that are under threat from human activity and climate change. While there's no doubt that Super 8 imagery has a striking richness, with texture that makes it feel unusually authentic, the fact is that we could observe the world like this with the cameras on our phones, if we could be bothered to do so. Maybe nature itself can reset something instinctual in our brains.

some themes 21.Aug.26

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL