A few nights ago, I had the distinct pleasure to take in Werner Herzog’s latest documentary, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” at IFC. It was magical. The sophistication of technique and the paintings’ beauty can’t be disputed, but the timeline — most of these paintings were composed over 32,000 years ago — just boggles the mind. These are the earliest known paintings of humankind. To provide some perspective, the famous images at Lascaux (the other famous French cave) go back 18,000 years; Chauvet is “another Lascaux back from Lascaux.”
Some of the paintings had a space of 5,000 years in between additions. Can you even imagine that amount of time? It’s like going to the pyramids, adding your own illustration to a panel of hieroglyphics, then walking away — and it remains untouched. Imagining 500 years from now is hard to realize; I just think of Futurama.
I highly recommend this movie. Any excuse to hear Herzog’s voice is a good excuse, in my book. And make sure to check out this interview with Herzog at The Paris Review. Good stuff.
I’m much looking forward to this film. loved his interview with terry gross recently – that voice/delivery! his docos are my absolute favourites always – as are many of his earlier films – this could be the best yet!
I have also been anxiously awaiting the release of this film! Werner Herzog is a crazy bastard and I love that about him! This movie looks EPIC.
In addition to the 3D and Herzog’s mesmerizing performance as narrator, the soundtrack has been replaying in my head since we saw it. I have GOT to figure out where to get that soundtrack. Google is failing me. Not getting it will be like living with an itch that I cannot scratch. Hi!
I read any interview with Werner Herzog that I can find… the last one I read was in Vanity Fair (I think?) and it was great. Per usual.
Nope, lies. It was in GQ (sometimes I read GQ, apparently). I typed up part of it to save just for remembrance purposes (something I also sometimes do).
“Another skill Herzog has advocated for filmmakers (and, I suspect, pretty much anyone else whom he considers truly worthy of respect) is the ability to milk a cow: “If an actor knows how to milk a cow, I always know it will not be difficult to be in business with him.” Herzog has previously claimed that when he walks into a room, he can tell who in there has previously had hand to udder. Or, at the very least, would.
“I can tell from miles away, yes,” he confirms. “Woody Allen is not ever going to milk a cow.”"
Cow milking capabilities. As good a way to judge character as any. I have milked a cow, but I can’t say I did it very well. I’m not afraid to get down there though, and ultimately I guess that’s what he finds important.
Oh! I’ve never milked a cow, but now I really, really want to. The threat of being kicked in the face, but you do it anyway — I totally see the connection.
can’t wait to see this!! heard a great science friday show on npr w/herzog, cormac mccarthy & this crazy physicist about science & art- herzog is such a freak, i love it! check it out!
http://www.sciencefriday.com/arts/2011/04/mccarthy-and-herzog-talk-science/
I have been dying to see this! Also loving that cow story-pretty fantastic.
I highly recommend it!