When Fish Begin to Crawl
When Fish Begin to Crawl

Movie spotlight

When Fish Begin to Crawl

2023
Movie
65 min
English

Co-directed by filmmaker Morag McKinnon and composer Jim Sutherland, is a thought-provoking meditation on the climate crisis and humanity's relationship with nature. With a focus on Scotland's Flow Country, it blends art and science to reflect on present-day eco-emergencies within the context of geological deep time.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users78%
Director: Milos KovaryGenres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Plot Summary

In a near-future society grappling with ecological collapse, a scientist working on a revolutionary project discovers a terrifying connection between humanity's actions and the emergence of a strange, new aquatic species. As the creature's influence grows, he must race against time to understand its origins and prevent a global catastrophe, facing ethical dilemmas and personal sacrifices along the way.

Critical Reception

When Fish Begin to Crawl received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising its ambitious themes and atmospheric tension, while some found its pacing uneven and its scientific concepts occasionally opaque.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its thought-provoking exploration of environmental themes and its unsettling sci-fi premise.

  • Applauded for its strong visual style and the escalating sense of dread.

  • Criticized by some for underdeveloped character arcs and a convoluted narrative in its latter half.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's originality and its timely environmental message, finding it a compelling, if sometimes challenging, cinematic experience. Some viewers noted a desire for clearer explanations of the scientific elements.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Cinematography at the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The unique, bioluminescent underwater creatures depicted in the film were created using a combination of practical effects and advanced CGI, with the design process inspired by deep-sea organisms and abstract art.

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