Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Directed by the Italian filmmaking duo Massimo D’Anolfi and Martina Parenti, “Bestiaries, Herbaria, Lapidaries” is an encyclopedic documentary that features non-human protagonists, offering reflections on humanity.
The film is divided into three segments, each approximately 40 minutes long, focusing on a single subject: animals, plants, and stones. In this tripartite format, each segment pays homage to a specific genre of documentary filmmaking.
The first volume, “Bestiaries: Cinema Invents New Cages,” is a found-footage exploration of animals and their representation throughout cinema’s history.
The second segment, “Herbaria: The Cure,” is an observational documentary about the world’s oldest botanical garden, founded in Padua in 1545. It serves as a tribute to the restorative beauty of plants.
The third volume, “Lapidaries: The Fossils of the Future,” examines the role of stones in war, destruction and memorialization.
The film premiered last year Out of Competition at the Venice Film Festival and made its North American debut in February at the Museum of Modern Art’s Doc Fortnight 2025: MoMA’s Festival of International Nonfiction Film and Media. MoMA described the film as “a breathtaking inquiry into humanity’s relationship with the natural world.”
Keep an eye out for this documentary at upcoming festivals this year. We’ll keep you posted on its streaming availability.
