The short film “Hybrids” was selected for the Takorama 2022 festival organized by the Films pour enfants association.
1-What is the theme of the film?
Pollution and its impact on wild fauna and flora.
Human waste, mainly in the form of plastic microparticles, is increasingly present in aquatic life. The film projects us into the near future, where human waste has completely transformed wildlife. The imaginary appearance of hybrid species with frightening shapes invites us to think and question our way of life and the respect we owe to nature.
2-Explain the title of the film.
A plant or animal is said to be hybrid when it results from a natural or artificial crossing within the same species.
The film features fictional hybrid species resulting from the crossbreeding of animals and human waste.
3-Give some examples of hybrid animals from the film.
In order of appearance:
A grouper mixed with a barrel of oil.
A shark mixed in the front of a car whose headlights replace the eyes.
Crabs mixed with metal capsules.
A turtle mixed with a tureen.
Shrimp mixed with computer components.
A giant squid mixed with a plane.
A scavenger mixed with a tire and corrugated iron.
4-What is the common thread of the film?
The main theme of the film is the food chain.
The grouper is eaten by the shark which, in turn, is eaten by the giant squid.
The remains of the grouper are eaten by the crabs, which are eaten by the turtle, which will certainly end up in the belly of the scavenger.
5-How does the film end? Is the ending optimistic or pessimistic?
The end of the film is very pessimistic: the turtle comes out of the water and we discover that not only marine fauna, but also terrestrial fauna, have evolved in aquatic forms.
The final animal looks like a scavenger crossed with a tire and corrugated iron, and the ending may suggest that humans have disappeared from Earth, or that they have transformed themselves.
Extensions and references
1- Making of the film
Debate/open responses.
2- Marine pollution and aquatic waste
- What are the main aquatic wastes?
Aquatic waste, 100% of human origin, is made up of 80% plastic. They come from inland and are carried by winds, rains and rivers to the ocean. Floating on the surface, lining the seabed or washed up on beaches, some studies estimate that in 2050 there will be more plastic than fish. In addition, plastic never completely degrades: it breaks down into microparticles under the effect of waves, wind and sun.
- What is the impact of marine litter on the oceans?
This pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems.
Some aquatic species choke on waste and become trapped in it, causing injuries and drowning.
A large part of the waste sinks and causes asphyxiation of the seabed and the gradual disappearance of aquatic life.
- What is the impact on men?
This pollution has a very significant impact on all aquatic life, but also on human beings, in particular on fishing, tourism and health, because the harmful effects on wildlife propagate throughout the food chain.
The effects on the human body remain little known, but numerous studies, such as that of the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory laboratory (Columbia University), have revealed the presence of microplastics in more than 100 aquatic species, more than half of which are found on our plates.
- What can we do?
Responsibility of governments? Responsibility of each citizen? Debate/open responses.
Educational activities offered by Christophe and Olivier Defaye.
