When Tradition and Technology Collide

Read Time:3 Minute, 47 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Fauna
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Pau Faus
Languages: Catalan, Spanish with English subtitles
Where to Watch: It will premiere on August 5, 2024 (check local listings) and will be available to stream until September 4, 2024, at pbs.org and the PBS App

RAVING REVIEW: In Pau Faus's intriguing documentary, FAUNA, the camera immerses us in rural Barcelona's scenic yet contrasting landscapes. Here, we follow the life of Valeriano, an aging shepherd battling a debilitating bone disease, juxtaposed against the stark, clinical ambiance of a nearby research facility fervently pursuing vaccine development.

FAUNA doesn't merely document; it probes deeper, questioning the ethical implications of animal testing in pharmaceuticals through the lens of Valeriano's daily routines with his flock and the scientific endeavors within the lab. This dual narrative elegantly illustrates the interdependence of traditional pastoral life and advanced scientific research, challenging viewers to consider the complexities of modern progress versus nature.

The film captivates with its view of rustic life, then sharply contrasts these with the high-paced, urgency-driven scenes of the lab. This visual storytelling underlines the paradoxes of human advancement and the unintended casualties of scientific breakthroughs. It's a film that doesn't just sit back and watch but instead prompts a critical dialogue about the moral implications of these two intersecting worlds.

Lighter moments peppered throughout humanize the narrative, offering a glimpse into the mundane aspects of jobs that have profound impacts. These slices of life add a relatable touch to the otherwise heavy themes of sacrifice and moral complexity inherent in scientific progress. It gives a weight that could otherwise nearly suffocate a break within the film's more significant scale.

Furthermore, FAUNA distinguishes itself with a distinctive aesthetic approach that highlights the visual poetry of both the natural and scientific worlds. Director Pau Faus employs various cinematic techniques, including dramatic close-ups and expansive aerial shots, to emphasize the stark contrasts and subtle parallels between the shepherd’s rustic existence and the high-tech environment of the lab. The film's opening does a brilliant job of showing this contrast. These visual strategies enhance the narrative and deepen the viewer's emotional engagement with the subjects. The film’s “score,” a meticulous selection of ambient noise and minimalistic sounds, complements the visual storytelling by enhancing the immersive experience, making the audience feel the tension and tranquility of the depicted worlds.

This addition of sensory details enriches the documentary, offering an artful exploration into the themes of coexistence and conflict between old-world traditions and modern innovations. The director’s careful attention to sound and image crafts a layered cinematic experience that provokes thought while pleasing the senses, elevating FAUNA from a simple documentary to a profound visual essay on human progress and its environmental impacts.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic backdrop influences the narrative arc, FAUNA cleverly connects Valeriano's microcosmic struggles and the lab's breakthroughs to broader societal shifts. This layer of storytelling invites viewers to ponder the future trajectory of our interactions with science and nature.

FAUNA is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating piece, beautifully weaving together themes of human ambition, ethical difficulties, and the environmental toll of scientific achievements. Faus’s empathetic storytelling ensures the documentary resonates deeply, making it a standout discussion piece at worldwide film festivals.

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[photo courtesy of PBS, POV]

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