Mississippi, Tales of the Last River Rat
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Times Preview of Mississippi – Tales of the Last River Rat.
Choice: A stunning portrait of the wildlife and landscape of one of the world’s most famous rivers.
There are so many astonishing nature documentaries these days that we’re spoilt by them. But while this one – about Kenny Salwey, the last “Mississippi River Rat” whose life is intricately linked to the river – doesn’t feature any jaw-dropping action sequences or bizarre behaviours or revelatory facts, it’s probably the most languorously beautiful film you’ve seen for some time.
It follows Salwey through the various seasons as he makes a living with the river. “Not off the river,” as he’s at pains to say, “I’m not a parasite”. He lives a simple life, only killing animals to eat. And his knowledge of and empathy with the river, its creatures and the changing seasons, is impressive and humbling.
There’s a poetic quality about Andrew Graham Brown’s film – beautifully framed shots are often accompanied by evocative music, and the sonorous tones of Salwey’s narration merely add to the laid-back, lazy feel of it.