Frame: Origins of the Species (2008) by Ben Rivers
Origins of the Species, Ben Rivers, UK, 2008; 16m (16mm color/sound)
Origins of the Species
Ben Rivers, UK, 2008; 16m (16mm color/sound)
Synopsis: “A film begun as a portrait of S, a 75-year-old man living in a remote part of Inverness-shire. S has been obsessed with Darwin’s works for much of his life. Since a child he has wondered at life on Earth and, though he never became an academic, found in Darwin many answers to his questions. The film images concentrate on the mysterious geography of his world; his garden—from the microcosmic to the grand; the contraptions and inventions he’s made; his isolated patch of land where he has built his house after a life of traveling and working around the world. The soundtrack has S heard discussing his take on life on Earth and humans place upon it. The film attempts to span from the beginnings of the world up to an uncertain future.”—B.R.
“Rivers’ films tend to fall into two categories: minimal, moody riffs on horror film traditions and tropes – particularly those of 1930’s Hollywood; and lyrical, poignant experimental documentary portraits of people and places in the British Isles.” — White Light Cinema