In Nocturnes, a new documentary by Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasan, moths emerge as some of the planet’s most poetic creatures. Their beauty lies not just in their routines but also in their striking aesthetic appeal, with vibrant colors and intricately patterned wings that rival their butterfly relatives.
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| 'Nocturnes' Courtesy of Grasshopper Film |
Guided by the moon’s phases and light, they navigate the night, illuminated by the silver glow, moving from flower to flower in search of nectar.
This delicate film, which won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Craft at Sundance, takes viewers deep into the forests of the Eastern Himalayas, specifically in Arunachal Pradesh, where ecological life flourishes. Birds singing, elephants calling, and the growls of predators form the soundtrack as researchers carry out their work.
Leading the mission is Manis, a quantitative ecologist, who, along with Bicki, a young man from the indigenous Bugun community, aims to catalog every species of Himalayan moth. Moths, Manis explains, offer critical insights into climate change due to their diversity and resilience, having survived every era of the planet.
However, the data must first be collected. Nocturnes is both a sensory experience and a process-driven film, starting with Manis and Bicki setting up light screens to attract hundreds of moths each night. Working swiftly and quietly, they blend into the forest’s nocturnal soundscape, with their movements mingling with the calls of crickets, owls, and rustling animals.
As the moths swarm the sheet, marked with mini grids, the researchers photograph them meticulously. Satya Nagpaul’s cinematography captures these creatures in stunning detail—one moment showing a death’s-head hawkmoth with skull-like patterns, the next revealing radiant yellows or muted grays. These close-ups are among the film’s highlights, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into this lush habitat.
Manis explains that each photograph must be precise, as they will later use the images to measure the moths’ dimensions. Her team is driven to understand how these moths, which thrive in cooler climates, are adapting to rising temperatures by potentially moving to higher altitudes. This research holds significant ecological implications, as moths are vital to their environment.
While the film poses crucial questions about climate change and moth migration, it doesn’t provide conclusive answers, which may frustrate some viewers. Instead, it intersperses informative moments with the relaxed pace of the researchers’ work, focusing on the methodical nature of their study.
The film’s real strength lies in its portrayal of the forest’s rich texture. Shreyank Nanjappa’s sound design enhances the immersive experience, amplifying nature’s chaotic symphony. Mesmerizing shots of moths landing on light sheets are as captivating as sweeping views of fog-covered trees and sightings of wildlife like elephants.
By immersing viewers in this vibrant ecosystem, where moths play a critical role, Nocturnes makes a powerful case for the protection of these creatures and the planet as a whole.
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