Seven ages of a man

An Epic Journey Between Nature and the Philosophy of Life

For half a century, explorer Jen-Shiu Hsu has journeyed through wild forests and rainforests, documenting the splendor and fragility of the natural world through his camera and writing. More than just an observer, he lives in harmony with the wilderness.

But in 2019, after his first major surgery, he was confronted by the reality of time and mortality. This led him to embark on what he calls his “final adventure”—deep into the Amazon, in pursuit of the legendary Blue Morpho butterfly he had dreamed of for years.

SEVEN AGES OF A MAN is not a traditional biographical documentary. Instead, it is a philosophical reflection: Can we, by drawing closer to nature, also move closer to true happiness and the essence of life? The film unfolds in seven chapters, tracing the journey from “Instinct” to “Return to Origins,” and drawing parallels between the laws of nature and the human experience.

Blending poetic black-and-white imagery with the vivid colors of the wild and the authentic sounds of the environment, the film offers a tranquil yet profound viewing experience. Over years of filming, the director and crew found themselves on their own journey of self-exploration, joining Hsu in contemplating the meaning and limits of existence.

This is both an intimate portrait of nature’s beauty and a deep dialogue about life, death, and what it means to exist. Through this dreamlike journey, the film invites us to reconsider the distance between humanity and nature—or to ask whether we have ever truly been apart.

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