Bestiaries, Herbaria, Lapidaries

synopsis

This monumental audiovisual essay categorises the world of beings, organisms and objects into three parts, following the model of medieval encyclopaedias. Bestiaries returns to the basics of humanity and explores the relationship between humans and animals, Herbaria continues with a therapeutic walk through a botanical garden, and Lapidaries delves into the world of minerals and collective catastrophes. Deposed from the anthropocentric throne, humans become exhibits, subjects of scientific experiments. Under the supervision of a supernatural biologist, they self- reflectively turn the camera lens on themselves, transforming observers into the observed, hunters into the hunted.

“The world we inhabit isn’t our world, but one we share with animals and plants.” — William Stottor

biography

The Italian creative duo Martina Parenti (born 1972) and Massimo D'Anolfi (born 1974) formed in 2006. Both members founded the production company Montmorency Film. Their work is characterised by a distinctive authorial style, radical form and socio-political themes. Ji.hlava IDFF screened their joint films The Castle (2011), Dark Matter (2013), and War and Peace (2020).

film details

director:	Massimo D'Anolfi, Martina Parenti
producer:	Massimo D'Anolfi, Martina Parenti