Two Onassis short films are showcased in the prestigious Criterion Channel.
Experience the enchanting fusion of Darwin's theories and the captivating wonders of the natural world, brought to life by the incomparable Isabella Rossellini, exclusively streaming on the Criterion Channel, available in the US and Canada. Over four decades, the Criterion Collection has been dedicated to gathering the greatest films around the world.
Amidst the challenges of quarantine, the Onassis Foundation initiated the ENTER project, inviting artists to create original works within a condensed timeframe of 120 hours. Among the talents commissioned was the renowned Isabella Rossellini, who returned with two captivating short films exploring Darwin's theories and the allure of the natural world. Now, these thought-provoking films, titled "Darwin, What?" and "Darwin, What? What?", take center stage on the prestigious Criterion Channel as part of its "Green Porno +" program. Launched on March 1, 2024, this program provides audiences in the US and Canada with a unique opportunity to delve into Rossellini's innovative interpretations of Darwinian concepts.
In "Darwin, What?", viewers are transported into the realm of quarantine as Isabella Rossellini's character delves into Darwin's writings, only to find herself confronted by the ghost of Darwin himself. Through their exchange, Darwin's theories on the expression of emotions and their evolutionary origins are vividly explored. Meanwhile, "Darwin, What? What?" goes deeper into Darwin's exploration of sexual selection, with Rossellini's character once again encountering Darwin's ghost. The film humorously portrays Darwin's struggle with the peacock's extravagant tail, a symbol of sexual selection's role in species evolution.
"Darwin, What?" and "Darwin, What? What?" are available worldwide at Onassis Channel on YouTube.
The Criterion Channel, known as every movie lover's dream streaming service, serves as the perfect platform for these extraordinary films. Over four decades, it is dedicated to gather the greatest films around the world. With its curated selection of new releases, timeless classics, and thematic programs, the Criterion Collection continues to be a vital archive of film culture, enriching the cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.
Have you ever wondered about the sadomasochistic sex lives of snails? Or about the cannibalistic maternal instincts of hamsters? Wonder no more, for the one and only Isabella Rossellini explains it all in these singularly strange and delightful short films that combine science, performance art, and DIY puppetry to illuminate the intimate, unexpected oddities of the natural world. Across a trio of acclaimed series—"Green Porno,” “Seduce Me,” and “Mammas”—Rossellini enacts the animal kingdom’s most surprising habits and rituals for a surreal biology course unlike any other. They’re presented alongside her other recent work as a filmmaker, which further grapples with the animal kingdom by exploring Darwin’s theory of evolution.
