PRODUCTIONS: DEEP LOVE

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M. Visalberghi, F. Bentivegna, G. Pancaldi, A. D'Onofrio

SD Cinematografica

30'

16 mm

Whenever we think of intelligent animals, monkeys or perhaps dogs immediately come to mind. We don't usually think of the octopus. In this film "Wild side of Europe" pick the humble, common octopus as an example of animal wisdom and shows how wrong we are to underestimate it.
Through the collaboration of the Zoogical Station in Naples, we learn that our main character is a very cunning individual. It makes up for its lack of natural weapons such as armor, stings or poison, with an extraordinary capacity to adapt to any new situation. It can change color faster than any other animal. 1000 chromatophore cells for every square millimeter of skin permit it to assume any shade of color in a fraction of a second. Its large repertoire of theatrical tricks and optical illusions make it the best magician inhabiting the seas.
The octopus swims by means of a very special propulsion system. It allows the animal to maneuver precisely and even quickly move in the opposite direction. The cuttlefish's rich source of oxygen has allowed it to develop a larger brain than other molluscs.
Perhaps its familiarity has prevented the cuttlefish from being the subject of intensive study. Actually, this animal still holds many mysteries. For example, we know it can change color very easily and that the various colors function as a kind of language. However, we have not yet been able to interpret the meaning of these colors. The documentary shows how the male courts the female and convinces it to mate. It also illustrates the care with which the male defend its companion from the scheming attentions of other admirers. Each phase of its behaviour is accompanied by sudden changes in the color of its stripes.