The Good Soil

Incorporating visual and narrative elements informed by the work of George Poinar Jr., famous as the inspiration behind the science of the Jurassic Park franchise, 'The Good Soil' explores the phenomenology of nature and temporality. Our dependency on nature is juxtaposed with our personal desires and their often destructive environmental consequences. Slow paced imagery is combined with an immersive soundscape, creating an intimate and at times poetic journey. A voiceover is inspired by conversations Whelan had with George Poinar Jr. who is based in Oregon, USA. Filming locations include: the oldest non-clonal tree in the world, the Kjell Henriksen observatory, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and a two hundred year old wish tree in England that was poisoned by generations of votive offerings.