Let’s be frank. A documentary about a jazz musician/record producer hobby scientist searching for micrometeorites doesn’t galvanize interest other than for those guys with plastic pocket inserts with pens jammed in them……the Elmer Fudd crowd?
Micrometeorites, in non scientific terms referred to as “stardust”, are tiny extraterrestrial dust particles that survive atmospheric entry that land on earth.
The scientific community was adamant stardust could not be found in urban environments stating in glacial regions or at the ocean bottom were the sole locales they were collectible.
Jon Larsen proved them wrong using a sifter, baggies, a tiny shovel, a microscope and a magnet to collect dust samples in gutters and roofs to prove the scientific community wrong and winning their admiration to the point a small planet Asteroid 63788 JonLarsen bears his name! And the struggle of Larsen against the scientific machine will hook most viewers in more than the dry scientific discourses presented in the documentary about stardust by the “experts” who might not be such experts as they thought!
Larsen reminds one of an early goldminer in gold rush days but despite scientific recognition it has not led to any gold nugget financial success Larsen having to sell his guitars and production equipment for living expenses. The disastrous side of success?
But the fascination and sense of poetic justice with this film for many will be slammed up against the wall with impending tragedy after witnessing the success of Larsen with his struggles and findings enabling director, Elisabeth Rasmussen, to understand the Sami legend of Gabba, the white reindeer descended from the sun and possibly save her life. A tender, insightful and riveting personal moment giving this documentary a hybrid theme that seamlessly and symbiotically is a resounding success.
The film will be showing at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival 15/17/21 April2026.
RKS 2026 EURO Documentary Film Rating 86/100.
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