Brilliant Darkness: Hotaru in the Night

While the vanishing of the world's bee population may be tied to toxic chemicals in our natural environment, the decline of fireflies can be traced to a different human activity: an over-abundance of artificial light affecting these nocturnal creatures. The two short films compiled here—Brilliant Darkness and Light of the Genji—speak to the firefly crisis in America and Japan (especially the latter), noting the larger implications of this loss, and featuring some of the same scientists and artists, as well as visual overlaps. Brilliant Darkness begins with lovely footage of fireflies at night, their illuminated bodies resembling falling stars and creating a sense of magic. The bad news is that the collective glow of urban lights causes confusion for different species of fireflies, each of which respond to different points on the light spectrum as day becomes night. The result is that fireflies don't brighten up or form the patterns that precede mating and thereby sustain their population. Concerned experts speak out about this issue and also how light pollution is affecting other creatures—including humans. Light of the Genji more specifically focuses on a particular class of fireflies that is in trouble, offering beautiful close-up views of different Genji firefly types as they gleam. Extras include a bonus film featuring footage (without commentary) of fireflies in motion. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (T. Keogh)