Death by Design: Where Parallel Worlds Meet (1997)

Browsing in the library of Science and Industry in Manhattan, I asked the Universe for an inspiration and I found this VHS cassette on the lower rack of an unshelved-tapes pushcart. It was exactly what I was in the mood for. I can't get enough of these films that see the connection between life at the microscopic and sub-atomic levels and the larger systems at work in our world. There are shots in 'Death By Design' of cells that join to form a slug and then become a plant; it's a marvelous testament to the miracle that is life and how exciting it is to be a part of. This film juxtaposes images of preserved ancient architecture, enveloped by modern design, intercut with shots of the editor of this very film trimming the fat of the film, while a science professor reminds us in the voice-over how efficient a system is which creates much more than is needed and how through a divine editing process, referred to in this film as "cell death", allows the strongest natural choice to emerge. This is an inspiring film for anyone currently experiencing the art of living.

I saw this about 1 year ago, and always think about it. This scientific documentary regarding cell death is great because it teaches us the fundamental truths and microscopic details about life. Aside from presenting lots of professors, analyists, and the like, the narrative of the story presents an overall feel that left me in awe at the end. It makes you think. If the whole world saw this, I wonder what people would be talking about...It's funny how science makes some people disbelieve in God. I don't really know what I believe in, but I left this video thinking... All this science shows us is this: that something spectacular, and beautiful, creates life.... and ends it too.

This documentary explains a strange mechanism of pluricellular bodies (like ours) to produce large amounts of cells that are destroyed without having been used. That is the central point of the movie, but the directors also have made an effort to explain this point as simply as possible so they make lots of references to human conduct in which you can see that our social behavior -at least seen from the outside- looks a lot like what cells do. All scientists interviewed are clear and pedagogic and, thanks to their testimonies, the strange phenomenon of cellular death ends up being also a reflection of our (western) society's fear of death. A great, entertaining and enlightning film.