Genesis 2.0

Genesis 2.0 is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary feature. Produced by Christian Frei and co-directed by Maxim Arbugaev andFrei, this 2018 film explores the convergence of science, business, ethics, and philosophy, delving into topics of cloning, ancient DNA, and the potential for bringing extinct animals back to life.

The documentary begins in the desolate New Siberian Islands in the Arctic Ocean where native Russian brothers, Peter and Semyon Grigoriev, are engaged in a dangerous but potentially lucrative trade - hunting for mammoth tusks. As the ice shifts and melts due to changing climate patterns, these millennia-old tusks become more accessible, venerated by collectors as they make for incredibly well-preserved fossil specimens.

One day, the Grigorievs make a remarkable find, a perfectly preserved mammoth carcass. Not only is the mammoth carcass complete with blood, bones, and fur, but it also holds promise of preserving potentially viable DNA, leading the brothers to believe that it could be the keys to the kingdom of 'de-extinction.'

As this story unfolds, the narrative crosscuts to the other side of the world. Hundreds of experts, in the realms of synthetic biology and genomics, prepare for The Genomics: Era 2.0 conference. This superbly woven thread of the narrative includes figures such as Dr. George Church, a renowned geneticist at the forefront of gene-editing technology and the promises and potential pitfalls that echo through the silence of these cutting-edge advancements.

The documentary establishes an engaging juxtaposition between the harsh Siberian wilderness and the sterile, high-tech laboratories where scientists could, theoretically, clone a mammoth using the remains provided by hunters like the Grigorievs. Although miles apart geographically and environmentally, the connective tissue of these drastically different storylines is the shared quest for a mammoth-sized scientific breakthrough.

As a viewer, you get to take a skeptical tour of Sooam Biotech in South Korea, one of the world's foremost cloning facilities where they are already copying pets for wealthy customers. This gives a chilling introduction to the reality and ethical debate of cloning and the notion of "playing God". You will also follow an international team of scientists to China's Tianjin biotechnology advancement, where robots are employed to deconstruct and reconstruct synthetic DNA.

Genesis 2.0 puts a keen lens on the paradigm shift from interpreting nature to reconstructing, even creating it. It crafts a layered story about the eternal human drive to overcome natural confines, ranging from physical limits to mortality, and the unintended consequences that come with this territory of 'creation.'

Importantly, the film also maintains an ecological and spiritual dimension, not just focusing on the purely scientific aspect. The brothers occasionally pause from their commercial endeavours to conduct shamanic rituals, expressing their respect and humility towards the 'giants' whose remains they harvest. They underscore the links between the ancient mammoth ecosystem and their present lives, subtly questioning whether resurrecting an extinct species could also bring back an extinct way of life.

The co-direction of Swiss filmmaker Christian Frei and Russian cameraman Maxim Arbugaev adds to the rich diversity of the documentary’s perspective. Working seamlessly together, their distinct backgrounds bring a unique depth to the narrative. Frei provides a more philosophical and universal perspective, while Arbugaev brings a closer, personal feel, portraying his compatriots' harsh, everyday struggle for survival in a mesmerizing, dream-like quality.

Genesis 2.0 is visually stunning, with spectacular cinematography that ranges from the sweeping, desolate beauty of Siberia's icy landscapes to the sleek sterility of ultra-modern laboratories. The imagery complements the complex themes of the documentary, reflecting both the fragility and fortitude of life - past, present, and potentially future.

In conclusion, Genesis 2.0 is an ambitious documentary that points to the brink of a new era, a closer meeting of science and science-fiction, a new chapter of 'Genesis'. This film doesn't claim to solve the ethical dilemmas it presents but instead serves to provoke thought on the progressing scientific evolution and its repercussions on life as we know it. It's a fascinating must-watch for anyone intrigued by the prospects of de-extinction, genetics and the far-reaching moral implications of our scientific advancements.