Exploring the Fascinating Histories of Science, Cinema, and War through Bestiaries, Herbals, and Lapidaries

When viewed at 20-times speed, Bestiari, Erbari, Lapidari transforms complex organisms into simpler forms, resembling a reverse evolution process. This nearly three-and-a-half-hour film explores various settings like a veterinary clinic, botanical garden, and quarry, reflecting on our planet and our interactions with it. Directed by Massimo D’Anolfi and Martina Parenti, this Italian film meanders through three sections, combining contemporary footage with archival material in an essayistic approach.

The first section, “Cinema Invents New Cages,” juxtaposes the world of a veterinarian clinic with historical Zoology footage, highlighting the evolution of animal imagery. Moving to the botanical gardens in Padua and the quarry, the film contrasts lab work with earlier experimentations and machinery with wartime ruins. The inclusion of secret police files on communists and dissidents adds a somber dimension to the film, emphasizing humanity’s quest to understand the world.

D’Anolfi and Parenti’s collaboration since 2007 has led to acclaimed works like The Castle and Spira Mirabilis. Bestiari, Erbari, Lapidari offers a captivating cinematic experience, with a notable lag in the middle section but a transcendent moment in an experiment tracking plant motion. The film’s visceral scenes at the veterinary clinic may warrant a trigger warning, but ultimately, it provides a profound exploration of our connection to the planet and our responsibility to preserve its memory.

Bestiari, Erbari, Lapidari was featured at the Laceno d’Oro International Film Festival, captivating audiences with its poignant reflections on nature and humanity.



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