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With 2021s phenomenal documentary River under his belt, filmmaker and musician Joseph Nizeti is no stranger to bringing the world of nature to life on the big screen in a way that transforms how we see the environment with live alongside. With his latest film, Fungi: Web of Life, which he co-directs alongside Gisela Kaufmann, Joseph turns from the worlds rivers to the unexplored world of mycology.
Fungi: Web of Life is a 3D IMAX presentation which makes its Australian premiere at the 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival, featuring immersive cinematography by Cam Batten, a powerful score by Piers Burbrook de Vere, and two of the most captivating guides through the world of mushrooms that you could wish for: UK biologist Dr Merlin Sheldrake, who walks us through the grand Tarkine rainforest of Tasmania to explain why fungi are vital to a healthy ecosystem, while famed mushroom enthusiast, Björk, provides a calming narration to support Merlin’s discussions.
Fungi: Web of Life is a fascinating and surprisingly powerful experience that excites the senses and provokes a new way of considering the world around us. In the following interview with Joseph, recorded ahead of the films Australian premiere at MIFF on 22 August, with a follow up screening on 25 August, Joseph talks about his journey to exploring environment on screen through documentaries, how the sound design for a growing mushroom was crafted, and the challenge of presenting nature on screen while also addressing the impact of climate change.
To find out more about the screenings, visit MIFF.com.au.
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