SIFF Sighting: MUSSELS IN LOVE (documentary; Netherlands)

Who ever thought a tiny, slimy substance inside a shell, that most of us regard as merely an appetizer, would have such a romantic story to tell?

In this oddly refreshing documentary, many different aspects of the life of mussels are examined.

There are debates about whether mussels harvested in a hatchery are as good as those left to nature at sea; there are love/hate relationships with chefs who have prepared mussels for consumption for decades; there are doctors who have discovered that using mussels' natural glue can help seal wounds following medical procedures. The scientists even show us exactly how mussels mate, with delicate puffy plumes of white emerging as they become aroused.

Many will probably ask, "Why mussels?" for the subject of a film, but the more appropriate question would be, "Why not?"

Works like this just prove that there are livelihoods and traditions dependent on the simple circle of life. Instead of disrupting that, when we see an appealing perspective such as this, we can do nothing more than embrace it.

MUSSELS IN LOVE will screen June 3 and 8 at the 39th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.  For tickets, click here.