PLANET SOIL, 83min., Netherlands, Documentary
Directed by Mark Verkerk
Planet Soil makes the unseen seen. The film inspires and amazes and gives insight into the world beneath our feet. Besides the world above ground populated by plants, insects and birds, but especially by humans, there is a second world: an underground community of roots, larvae, worms, fungi, bacteria, amoebas and arthropods. The existence of this world will not surprise anyone, but the fact that all the life in that microcosm is busily communicating with each other is nothing short of astonishing. There are more living things in one teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on Earth. We are about to take the biggest turn in the history of our dealings with nature and our soil. We have to. Farmers have to change, consumers have to live more sensibly, industry has to change. But how do we tackle that? How do we learn to deal more sensibly with our soil? The film Planet Soil shows what needs to be done on a grand scale by focusing on the world around us and the fascinating world right under our feet. Actually quite extraordinary that every day we look over the nature that forms the basis of our existence on earth.

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Get to know the writer/producer Ignas van Schaick:

What motivated you to make this film?

We have been making film about nature for the past 13 years.

Films like The New Wilderness and Wild Amsterdam have been internationally successful.

Our mission is to inspire people about nature.

Making the unseen seen.

Not in a critical way and not judging but showing the beauty and importance of our relation with nature.

We people are nature.

The films are a call to action but people have to discover themselves how they can make a difference and change behavior.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?

It took us 4 years in total. Most time took the preparations and how to film and research for the script

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Unseen nature

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Developing the right technique to film the microscopic live underground.

Specially the very long filming off underground processes as the composting and funghi

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?

Very happy to discover that not only people in the Netherlands recognized our mission with the film but that it is a worldwide subject.

People reconnecting with nature and showing that the biodiversity is important. Soil is the basis of our existence on Earth

Also confirmation of our way of a executing the film in the 3 layers. The underground, the group of people we have followed as the backbone of the film and the examples in science and growing of food with respect for nature.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

When I was working as filmdistributor in the Netherlands for brands as National geographic, BBC and Discovery.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Wim Wenders film, Im lauf der zeit

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career?

I really love your multimedia approach, the review and the connection to the international audience.

For us this helps us a lot in the challenge to distribute internationally and reach the audience

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Great

10. What is your favorite meal?

Caulieflower recepy from Ottolenghi

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes, this will be the film North Sea which will be released in the Netherland in September 2024

https://vimeo.com/493263660