With 2021s phenomenal documentary River under his belt, filmmaker and musician Joseph Nizeti is no stranger to bringing the world of nature to life on the big screen in a way that transforms how we see the environment with live alongside. With his latest film, Fungi: Web of Life, which he co-directs alongside Gisela Kaufmann, Joseph turns from the worlds rivers to the unexplored world of mycology.

Fungi: Web of Life is a 3D IMAX presentation which makes its Australian premiere at the 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival, featuring immersive cinematography by Cam Batten, a powerful score by Piers Burbrook de Vere, and two of the most captivating guides through the world of mushrooms that you could wish for: UK biologist Dr Merlin Sheldrake, who walks us through the grand Tarkine rainforest of Tasmania to explain why fungi are vital to a healthy ecosystem, while famed mushroom enthusiast, Björk, provides a calming narration to support Merlin's discussions.

Fungi: Web of Life is a fascinating and surprisingly powerful experience that excites the senses and provokes a new way of considering the world around us. In the following interview with Joseph, recorded ahead of the films Australian premiere at MIFF on 22 August, with a follow up screening on 25 August, Joseph talks about his journey to exploring environment on screen through documentaries, how the sound design for a growing mushroom was crafted, and the challenge of presenting nature on screen while also addressing the impact of climate change.

To find out more about the screenings, visit MIFF.com.au.

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Curb podcast. To help keep the Curb independent, visit patreon.com/thecurbau to show your support from as little as $1 a month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.