Cane toad invasion: documentary review
You see an ominous figure lurking in the shadows of a bush outside your front yard; cognitive dissonance overcomes you as you curiously, but cautiously, approach the frightening entity. As epinephrine is released in your brain, fear builds in your body and your subconscious considers flight or fight; your hand lifts the bushes and… a wide, stumpy, forest green creature with large brown eyes stares back at you. You have found yet another cane toad in your yard.
Cane Toads: An Unnatural History (1988) is an iconic documentary directed by Mark Lewis that explores the introduction and invasion of Rhinella marina, more commonly known as cane toads, along the coast of eastern Australia. Cane toads are native to Central America, where they are vital contributors to the ecosystem by controlling insect populations. Cane toads were purposefully released by humans with the hope of controlling Dermolepida albohirtum (commonly known as cane beetles) because cane beetles were decimating sugar cane populations and subsequently decreasing crop yield. This film explores the scientific aspects of the cane toad both anatomically and ecologically and addresses the cultural impacts of cane toads in Australia. Comedy is uncommonly used in the scientific documentary genre; the unique aspects of this film are its use of satire through audio, visuals, and jump cut scenes.