As humanity’s impact on the planet continues to grow, we’ve become increasingly alienated from the wonders of the natural world. But Mother Nature has the power to improve our lives, heal our ailments, and bring balance and meaning to our existence. That’s the subject of Manna, an impassioned documentary inspired by the psilocybin mushroom and its power to expand the mind.
Rich in psychedelic compounds, psilocybin mushrooms have attracted great interest throughout history. Mayan artifacts reveal early evidence of their appeal, their use in various shamanic rituals, and their defense by many prominent scientists, artists, and cultural researchers over the years.
The film describes its changing effects in vivid detail. After the initial disorientation, users feel like they have entered a new dimension. There, they can fully experience the energy of their natural surroundings and appreciate the intricacies of their designs.
However, the story about fungi is only the starting point of the film. His real purpose was to emphasize the importance of living in harmony with nature. By taking a step back and looking at the inner workings of a properly functioning ecosystem, where each element serves its purpose by supporting the other, perhaps humanity can learn to co-exist more harmoniously. The film travels the world – from the clear blue waters of the Philippines to the stunning rainforests of Australia – to illustrate these lessons.
The call to reinvest in nature’s magnificence has never been more urgent, especially in a world of expanding infrastructure and polluting practices and levels of pollution reaching catastrophic levels. The continued dominance of “civilization” makes it harder for us to make these important connections, just as social fears stifle the self-discovery that psilocybin might achieve. Do the achievements of modern industry really represent progress, or are they simply draining our full potential?
Shot on a Hi-8 camera in 2003, the visual quality may be mediocre, but its subject matter is ambitious and noble. Manna was provocative and inspiring, sharing a strong ecological message.
Directed by: Simon G. Powell
