Cave of Forgotten Dreams
2010. 90 min. NR.
I think what’s extremely important is that we realize that archeology today is not a heroic adventure with spades and picks, but high tech scientific work that’s done with incredible detail.
Cave of Forgotten Dreams – Creative Differences
Werner Herzog explores the oldest cave paintings known to exist in his 2010 3-D documentary Cave of Forgotten Dreams. The Chauvet Cave , located at the Ardeche section of Southern France was discovered in the early to mid-nineties and began as a tourist spot, allowing the public access into its fascinating depths. Due to atmospheric changes that threatened its preservation, entry was soon prohibited. The French government granted Herzog and his team of scientists and one camera man limited access during filming, which was challenging he explains because of the radon and Carbon Dioxide levels, which meant the inability to stay inside the cave for more than a couple of hours at a time. Health threats aside, there was also the issue of minimal filming equipment AND a barely walkable entry path through the cave that consisted of a narrow wooden plank-like bridge that was constructed as delicately and strategically as possible to give them some space to meander, though in a slow, single file manner.
Fascinating artwork created over 30,000 years ago from paleolthic man that showed dimension, with animals in 3-dimensional space as an early hunter would have experienced them, movement ( animals’ detailed expressions that evoked the moment a horse was experiencing fear in recognition of an approaching predator or a Lion hunt), and shadowing that the artists were able to create using basic (unidentifiable) pigments. In the background, an eerie (except for the typical esoteric Herzog muscial accompaniment, or maybe that was the spooky part) yet reverential silence conveys the patience and waiting that must have occurred while early man took up these artistic pursuits. Does this mean this art was purely recreational in nature alone? Were they merely doodling to pass time, or was there an attempt to communicate to future people?
At one point, the modern crew points out torch markings that prove the re-occupation of the cave thousands of years following the original inhabitants; and more, later artwork at this time.
There is beauty in simplicity. The images are minimalist and evocative, and Herzog’s documentary is fascinating because it captures early man in touch with their creative side, which is an awesome experience for viewers, even if they aren’t there in the cave witnessing it. History fans, will appreciate this film.
Just to think, early man were in this very quiet space, thinking and feeling, experiencing an artistic process even so many years ago. Adding to the wow-factor, the drawings themselves appear strikingly similar to realistic sketches one would see of lions, bison, and horses today. Well, of course they look the same, Jen. Yes, each drawn animals’ looks and movements are still alike; however, it’s pretty neat to see a legitimate pre-evolutionary depiction that isn’t so dissimilar. As Werner and his crew stopped in silence observing the timeless slivers of light, it is understandable how they felt a connection with the artists in occupying this nearly unchanged space. Film viewers will almost feel their appreciation of this repose.
Although the cave suffered some change when a boulder fell closing off the front entrance (they had to carefully construct an entrance in another portion of the cave), the drawings were kept in tact and well- preserved. It’s worth noting that Werner Herzog is no James Cameron when it comes to using 3-D filming methods, nor does he want to be; however, he made a positive decision to use it sparingly on the curves of the cave, the brilliant stalagmites, and the drawings themselves. Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a fascinating documentary that captures the essence of the past and the timelessness of the human soul.
