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In Diatomeés, Jean Painlevé turns his lens toward the microscopic world of diatoms—unicellular algae encased in intricate silica shells. Filmed using advanced microscopy techniques, this silent, color-drenched short reveals the hidden rhythms and patterns of these aquatic organisms. Floating between scientific observation and visual abstraction, the film transforms a biological subject into a meditative dance of form and light. Created in the later years of Painlevé’s career, Diatomeés exemplifies his singular ability to merge science, art, and cinema into a hypnotic exploration of the invisible.
