Minute Bodies: The Intimate World of F. Percy Smith

This contemplative and immersive film pays homage to the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of F. Percy Smith, a trailblazing naturalist, inventor, and filmmaker. In the early 1900s, Smith pioneered various cinematographic and micro-photographic methods to unveil the mysteries of nature in motion. Throughout his career, he held several public positions, including roles with the Royal Navy and British Instructional Films, and was known for his prolific output and relentless drive, often working on multiple films at once. His apparent mission was to explore and document the hidden realms of nature. This film presents an interpretative edit that blends Smith’s original footage with a modern score by tindersticks, crafting a mesmerizing, otherworldly yet familiar dreamscape. It evokes the sense of wonder that Smith likely experienced as he gazed through his lenses and discovered these micro-worlds for the first time.