Faune

In a forest, on the outskirts of Barcelona, an old shepherd and his flock live together with a high-tech laboratory for animal experimentation. Two opposite worlds facing each other. Two worlds that are two sides of the same coin. While the shepherd -who is sick with a bone disease- sees how his profession disappears, the scientists are busier than ever researching the Covid vaccine. Fauna is a reflection on the relationship between humans, animals and science in times of pandemic.

"It is summer; a heron is standing in a river. On the banks, a man and his dog are sitting peacefully. Alerted by the sound of bleating, they set off to rescue a goat trapped in a pit, before rejoining the herd. As the camera slowly zooms out, we are suddenly transported into another world: a hi-tech laboratory, staffed by people wearing full protective gear. They are busier than usual, working on the development of a vaccine against Covid, with the help of extensive animal testing. An opening lift reveals goats staggering down a corridor, evoking the first, lost goat. In a few minutes and with a skilful and elegant construction, Pau Faus sets the scene, revealing an unusual form of neighbourly relations in a forest on the outskirts of Barcelona: "It’s as if we were living in prehistoric times, while they are in space". By composing precise shots and with the help of a cheerfully humorous montage, Fauna interweaves the world of humans, animals and science in pandemic times."
(Émilie Bujès - Visions du Réel)