Great excitement reigns in the coral reef when an uninvited guest appears in the form of an old trainer. The sea creatures are anything but enthusiastic about the disturbing object. With a lot of wit, sarcasm, and grumpiness, a debate begins about pollution and the impact of plastic waste on their home. In the midst of the discussion, a futuristic idea emerges: cellulose shoes made from bacterial tissue could be the solution. The environmentally friendly material has leather-like properties and is biodegradable. The possibilities open up applications that go far beyond the production of ecologically sustainable shoes.
With original approaches and unconventional narrative structures, the alt narratives project aims to make complex scientific and artistic research accessible to a wider audience. In close cooperation with scientists and project managers from the University of Arts Linz and the Johannes Kepler University, science communication is being reimagined, leaving behind traditional models of “explanatory film” in order to open up a space for multilayered and creative exchange. The current film by alt narratives, GRUMPY FISH, is based on the FWF Peek project “Fashion & Robotics” and the EU project “BioCombs4Nanofibers” and was realized by LAS GAFAS.
Credits
Based on the FWF Peek project „Fashion & Robotics“ and the EU project „BioCombs4Nanofibers“, this film was made in close collaboration with University of Arts Linz and Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
Bacterial strains or fungal cultures can be used for producing cellulose tissues on a 3D object. This tissue can then be turned into something leather-like. In the end, the finely fibered tissue can be peeled off without tearing from its microstructured support
Research team
Werner Baumgartner
Johannes Braumann
Miriam Eichinger
Emanuel Gollob
Johannes Heitz
Christiane Luible-Bär
Agnes Weth
Jasmin Wurm
Cast
Agnes - Agnes Weth
Bernie - Christopher Hütmansberger
Christie - Marlies Hajnal
Dolores - Aileen Derieg
Fry - Christopher Hütmansberger
Gail - Inge Katamay
Gus - Bernhard Nussbaumer
Hank - Johannes Heitz
Joe - Aaron Dall
Louie - Andre Zogholy
Mo - Inga Morawski
Police - Aileen Derieg
Schoolkids - Aaron Dietl
Spike - Werner Baumgartner
Teacher - Inge Katamay
The Gang - Christian Dietl
Verne - Aaron Dall
Film team
Production - LAS GAFAS FILMS
Idea & Concept - Luzi Katamay, Christian Dietl & the research team
Executive Producers – Andre Zogholy, Marlies Hajnal
Camera - Christian Dietl
Editing - Luzi Katamay
Script - Luzi Katamay
Translations – Christopher Hütmannsberger
Video Postproduction – Christian Dietl
Audio Postproduction - Mario Stadler (Goon Studios)
Special thanks to - Aquarium Bach and their wonderful pets
