Educational Media Reviews Online

Becoming Animal begins on a relaxing note. The viewer is enveloped by the sounds and sights of nature as an elk is spied grazing in the distance. The majority of Emma Davie and Peter Mettler’s documentary is similarly immersive. The breathtaking cinematography coalesces with the soundscape to create a meditative experience, as we are reminded of humankind’s effect on our natural habitat. The film features extended shots of typical nature scenes in Grand Teton National Park accompanied by narration from David Abram, noted cultural ecologist and philosopher. Those familiar with Abram’s work will recognize the title of the film, which is borrowed from his 2010 book of the same name.

Viewers are fascinated by shots of the peaks of the Teton Range and the daily lives of its plant and animal inhabitants as Abram wonders about humanity’s place in this world. The park comes alive as Abram asks one of many thought-provoking questions: “Isn’t this what anthropologists call animism?” We are reminded of his 1996 book (The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World) as we listen to a babbling brook and compare it to common words in the English language: gush, wash, splash and rush.

This film thrusts viewers into the wild world and forces us to confront the possibility that our technological advancements may be preventing us from appreciating the beauty surrounding our cities. Long shots of Grand Teton National Park, including one scene recorded with the help of a soaring cinematographer credited as Bran the Raven, present an opportunity to reflect upon Abram’s philosophy. This title would be a fitting addition to public and academic library collections.