CPH:DOX Review: The Invisible Extinction


Microbes

If the last two years has taught us anything it’s that our existence, as a species, is fragile. Climate change will likely kill us in the end, but along the way our increasing encroachment into different habitants is likely to cause us a lot of pain. While COVID-19 has changed the world, it’s not likely to be the last threat humanity will ever face. Not that it’s anywhere near over. There’s potentially an either deadlier threat, right here, right now.

You might not know much about microbes, but they know a lot about you. Indeed, these microorganisms have evolved with us. While they can be good or bad, we couldn’t live without them. We’ve been inadvertently poisoning our microbiome with antibiotics, allowing chromic and life-threatening diseases such as obesity, diabetes, food allergies and asthma to flourish. The Invisible Extinction follows two scientists racing to halt this demise before it’s too late.

Gloria Dominguez-Bello and Marty Blaser are microbiologists on a mission. The Invisible Extinction follows them around the globe on their quest to find an antidote. Steven Lawrence and Sarah Schenck’s film does a great job of explaining the issue clearly, in lay terms, and then exploring what a solution might look like. It’s not a film with all the answers, but hopefully by highlighting the issue The Invisible Extinction will at least raise awareness.  

The Invisible Extinction screens at CPH:DOX.

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