Symbiotic Earth

Darwin teaches us: Life is a struggle for survival. Lynn Margulis teaches us: Life is symbiosis. In this complex system, everything and everybody is connected and stands in equal position to one another.

In the 1960s, the young American evolutionary theorist and biologist Lynn Margulis expressed an unpopular thought on the theory of evolution: she presented a phenomenon called symbiosis, i.e. the coexistence of living beings of different kinds for mutual benefit, as a key element of evolution. At that time, the principle of symbiosis was not of primary consideration, but genetic mutations, selection and struggle. Margulis stuck to her view and introduced the narrative of a symbiotic system in which bacteria combine to create cells from which all organisms are created. They form the complex, living surface of the Earth.

Director John Feldman travelled far to talk to cutting-edge colleagues of this remarkable scientist who likewise offer a new view of the world. In this network, the film »Symbiotic Earth« explores both the life and work of Lynn Margulis as well as the connection and collaboration of all phenomena, biotic and abiotic, on Earth as the basic principle of life on this planet.

Colophon:

John Feldman (direction, script, camera, editing, narration), Susan Davies (production), James MacAllister, Regge Life, Global Film Network (coproduction), Guido Alvarez (graphic design), Alex Marlow, Noah Shearer (assistant editing), Ann Tegnell (editorial consulting), Sheila Silver (composer). A Hummingbird Films Production.