Life cycle is everything to parasites and they will stop at nothing to complete it. Horrific though some of their journeys are, how parasites survive is one of the wonders of the natural world. Using innovative new filming techniques, Big Wave’s revelatory film gets closer than ever before to the world of the Bodysnatchers.

Using a spectacular mix of animation, special effects and extraordinary new photographic techniques, parasite enthusiast, Dr George Benz from the Tennessee Aquarium, takes us on an compelling journey in the macabre world of the Bodysnatchers.

More than half of all life forms are parasites. To them life cycle is everything and they will stop at nothing to complete it. Hijacking another’s body, they bend us to their own dark purposes. Head lice feeding, fleas being born, a tape worm spewing out eggs, the malaria parasite on its devastating journey through the body. These are just some of the extraordinary images captured using electron microscopes and macro photography.

While thoughts of these alien-looking creatures living the high life inside our bodies is a little unsettling, we cannot ignore the dangers of these tiny life forms; parasites have killed more humans than all the wars in history. We are only just beginning to understand their extraordinary lives and are finding that parasites can be powerful allies in the fight against our worst agricultural pests.

How parasites survive is truly one of the wonders of the natural world.

From the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, to researchers checking out the parasite infested gills of sharks in the North Atlantic, Bodysnatchers is sure to give new meaning to the phrase “don’t let the bedbugs bite!”

Publicity

“The photography is stunning! My family have watched it three times already”. Melvyn Fidgett, Chief Executive Officer Novartis

“One of the most informative, beautiful documentaries ever. Congratulations!” Jennifer Ciraldo

To view press clippings of Bodysnatchers CLICK HERE

Awards

National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 2000 – Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design

International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula 2000 – Merit Award for Microphotography & Illustration of Biological Information

Beijing International Film Festival 2000 – Bronze Dragon for Best Science Documentary

Columbus International Film Festival 2000 – Silver Chris

New York Film Festival 2000 – Gold Medal, Best Science Documentary

Links

The Tennessee Aquarium

www.tnaqua.org

Center for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov