Film Forum

In 1973, NBC News scarily reported “shapeless, quivering masses” discovered in Texas. An alien invader? No, but pretty weird and wonderful stuff nonetheless: slime molds.  There are more than a thousand varieties (many dazzlingly yellow) that not only grow, but move (1/20 of an inch per hour), live for decades, and hibernate when circumstances require. While technically without a brain, they possess a kind of primitive problem-solving intelligence. All of this wonderment is brought to striking life by THE CREEPING GARDEN, a documentary that drolly indulges in “time magnification,” speeding up slime mold’s behavior so one can truly enjoy being thoroughly creeped out by it. Reports by naturalists, artists, and amateur slime mold connoisseurs are complemented by Jim O’Rourke’s appropriately trippy score.

UK • 2014 • 82 MINS. • CINEMA ILOOBIA / RYAN BRUCE LEVEY FILM DISTRIBUTION

Reviews

“ENTIRELY FASCINATING. Explores slime molds with a dry wit… shooting the creeping goo (like the Blob in miniature) with a Lynchian beauty… Vibrant gelatinous slime molds pulsing with life. Heady and rigorous. An illuminating science documentary that tickles the imagination.”
– Serena Donadoni, Village Voice

“UNCANNY…has a way of growing on you. A surprising investigation of perception, thought and life itself. (The filmmakers) tease out the depths of their subject with a sly skill, turning a curiosity of nature into a true revelation. Given the surprising abilities and aptitude of the slime mold, you’ll want to learn all you can and stay on its good side.”
– Nicolas Rapold, The New York Times
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“Stylish and quirky.  An out-of-left-field nerdy delight.”
– John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter

“One of the year’s most original and bizarre documentaries.  A pioneering and at times hypnotic crawl through a largely uncharted realm. Ultimately, the film is as enigmatic, unique and fascinating as its subject matter, almost beyond categorization, but filled with an insatiable child-like sense of wonder.”
– James Marsh, Twitchfilm   

“An essential reminder of how smart docs about peculiar subjects can be as entertaining as any psycho thriller. Who knew fungal gunk could be so rapturous to behold?”
– Steve Dollar, Indiewire

“An enthralling delve into the world of plasmodial slime molds.”
– Mark Adams, Screen International

“An improbably delightful documentary about slime molds. ‘The Most Appealing Movie With the Least Appealing Subject’ prize on the festival circuit. Packaged to recall 1970s sci-fi classics (like PHASE IV and the ’78 INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS), good-humored but not campy in its regard of some genuinely fascinating research, and full of trippy visuals. A weird and wonderful if little-studied part of Mother Nature. The handsome widescreen (film) is highlighted by plenty of striking images in which molds’ movement is sped up through time-lapse photography. The drolly sci-fi tenor is furthered by a soundtrack of retro electronica.” 
– Dennis Harvey, Variety

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