When you see mold, fungus or even mushrooms, what do you do? Are you grossed out by the sight of them? Are you curious about them? Do you want to eat them? Chances are most people are not exactly fans of fungi.
My entire family is grossed out by the thought of fungi. As for me, I love mushrooms. I love to order mushrooms when we eat out at restaurants. At our local diner, their balsamic chicken dinner comes with mushrooms. My husband doesn’t request that they eliminate the mushrooms. He intentionally gets them just to remove them from his plate and give them to me.
Have you ever tried a portebello mushroom? I swear they could pass as meat. It’s a healthier alternative to meat, that is for sure. Plus it would mean less cows, and less methane gas destroying out atmosphere.
Did you know that you need fungi to make many of the things you enjoy eating and drinking, such as bread (yeast is a fungi), beer and cheese. If you saw mold on cheese, chances are you would never eat cheese again. But it is made using fungi.
If you enjoy blue cheese, you enjoy eating blue mold, because that is what is used to make the cheese. Personally, I’m not a fan of blue cheese. Not because of the mold, but rather I don’t like the taste.
If you have ever had a shot of penicillin, then you have had fungi injected into your body. Penicillin is made from mold.
There is a documentary that is now playing at select theaters across the country called Fantastic Fungi. It’s narrated by Brie Larson, and directed by Art by Louie Schwartzberg.
Some people, like my husband, thought the documentary would be either boring, or gross. Just the thought of fungi grosses him out, so there is no way he’d give a documentary about fungi a chance. Thankfully, I enjoy learning and I love mushroom, so I was curious about the film. I was sent a screener to review.
Fantastic Fungi gives viewers and in-depth history about fungi, and how it pertains to life, and by that I mean ALL life – from the soil to humans and everything in between.
There are over a million different types of fungi. That is more than the different types of plants on Earth. That to me was mind-blowing.
If you believe in the idea of evolution, human beings came from fungi. Not right away (of course), but over millions of years. Fungi is responsible for all life on Earth.
I love that this documentary provided viewers with an eye opening look at this amazing thing. Who knew that fungi was such a vital part of our lives, and we weren’t even aware of it.
Fantastic Fungi provides detailed information about how fungi is used today, including it’s medicinal purposes.
Fungi can even help save the bees (which is extremely important right now) and provide an all natural, safe “pesticide” to kill things like termites, ants and bed bugs.
Scientists and doctors are exploring how a single use of “magic mushrooms” can help with depression and anxiety, and give users a clearer, and happier, outlook on life? More so than taking drugs on a daily basis. That to me is sounds pretty amazing. I would much rather take natural substances than man made medications any day.
There is a whole community of people across the country, and around the world, that revere fungi. They have get togethers where they search for fungi, talk about fungi and even enjoy eating fungi.
I learned A LOT about fungi from this film. So much so that I am honestly curious about fungi, and I am interested in learning more about it.
I know a film like this might seem boring to most people, and perhaps it’s not your “cup of tea” (you can make tea out of mushrooms too!), but if you have the opportunity to see this film, I”m sure you will find it equally as interesting. It is truly an eye opening experience.
If you are interested in learning more about this film, or to find out where it’s playing near you, visit the film’s official website, FantasticFungi.com. The film can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Those links are found at the top of the official website.
Below is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment.
Are you a fan of fungi? Do you think that you would be interested in seeing this film? Why or why not? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.
Kimberly
*I was sent a free screener in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.