The Entangled Forest
Nick Jordan
Official Selection
𖤘 Short: Documentary, Ethnographic, Research
“The forest teaches us that a sustainable future depends on cooperation and balance, and an awareness that resilience emerges through interconnection.”
The Entangled Forest explores the multifaceted interrelationships between trees and fungi within forest ecologies. Featuring the voice of ecologist Suzanne Simard, and her ground-breaking research into tree and fungal communities, the documentary reflects on how the “biological neural network” of forest ecosystems creates a healthy community of co-dependent species. Highlighting cooperation, mutual aid and the redistribution of resources between neighbouring species, the film interweaves Simard’s observations on the wood-wide-web with an atmospheric and textural collaborative soundtrack score, recorded with traditional folk instruments, woodwind and analogue synths. The documentary features a diverse range of tree species and fruiting fungi, growing in ancient forests and urban woodland habitats; filmed from the blazing heat of late summer to the frozen depths of winter.
Exploring the interconnections between natural, social and cultural histories, Jordan’s hybrid documentary films have been shown extensively at international exhibitions and festivals. He is the curator of Braziers International Film Festival.
Production: Nick Jordan
Narration: Suzanne Simard
Soundtrack: Otis Jordan & Lord Mongo
Courtesy of the artist