Maurice Constant

This Oscar-nominated short explores the genesis of cancerous cells and the mid-20th century state of research into the fight against cancer. The film questions the differences between normal cell growth in the human body and the subversive growth of cancerous cells. Cures have been found for a succession of once invincible diseases, but cancer still presented an enigma at the time of the making of this film—and continues to do so today. The collaboration of a global network of scientists is portrayed in the film, as they painstakingly following every clue that may lead to an eventual solution.

A brief essay on the ecology of a forest along the Laurentian Shield, in Quebec [caption taken from the NFB app].

A dramatic portrayal of a struggle that is waged annually in wheat-growing areas - man against the wheat rust fungus. Views of the destruction caused during rust epidemics emphasise the urgency with which plant pathologists are endeavouring to breed resistant wheats and, eventually, to annihilate the blight. Animation, time-lapse photography and cinephotomicrography illustrate the life cycle of the fungus and the complex alternation of generations which poses one of the chief problems.