Name any subject and it’s likely that someone, somewhere, has made a documentary about it. The weird and the bizarre can often make for the most interesting and fascinating films. Topics such as sexual attraction to large objects (Married to the Eiffel Tower), competitive tickling (Tickled), eccentrics (Grey Gardens), Tiffany obsessives (I Think We’re Alone Now) and Troll 2 (Best Worst Movie) all make for great entertainment. The Creeping Garden explores the extraordinary world of the plasmodial slime mould.
Tim Grabham and Jasper Sharp’s documentary is a mix of public service broadcasting, science fiction and visual art. Through a range of fringe scientists, experts, mycologists and artists we discover the unique nature, scientific application and biological inspired design slime moulds. It can be found in the undergrowth of forests and isn’t easily categorised within the animal or plant worlds. Unlike fungi, which it’s commonly mistaken for, it relies on food to grow.
The Creeping Garden is as much a work of art as it is an experimental documentary. Whilst the film shows how slime mould has influenced art and music, it’s so beautifully shot that it feels almost alien or futuristic. It’s a surprisingly fascinating subject and the enthusiasm of the contributors really shines through. The Creeping Garden is an unusual documentary which experiments with the medium to make almost hypnotic viewing.
The Creeping Garden is released on dual format DVD and Blu-ray by Arrow Academy on Monday.
