Shelf Life

Taking the audience on a journey through the world of cheese, this film about the art of aging mirrors the microbial transformation of cheese to the passage of time in human existence. 

What can cheese teach us about life? In Shelf Life, renowned ‘science film’ filmmaker Ian Cheney delves into the intricate world of fermentation, drawing unexpected parallels between the aging of cheese and the human experience. Just like in The Arc of Oblivion, he carefully constructs his narrative through the film’s structure and visual storytelling. Starting from the first stages of curdling to the final process of aging, each part offers a distinct perspective. Through encounters with a diverse cast of characters, we gain unique perspectives on dissolution and decay while learning about the craft of cheesemaking. A film that is easy to watch, endlessly fascinating, and sure to leave you hungry for cheese. 

Can’t make it to this film during InScience in Nijmegen? Then you have another chance at our satellite edition in Wageningen. This film will be shown on March 23 at 14:00 in Visum Mundi. For more information, click here.