Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Werner Herzog is a film icon. His canon of films is incomparable. Lately he has been doing a mix of commercial films and nature documentaries. Most recently he made the mind bending “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,” a film in which Nicolas cage loses his shit in the best way. His most famous documentary was “Grizzly Man” about a nature documentarian who is eaten by bears, as well as “Encounters at the End of the World,” a film about the Antarctic. His latest film is, in true Herzog fashion, unimaginably spectacular. I was lucky enough to see it at SXSW.

“Cave of Forgotten Dreams” is a documentary about a cave that was discovered recently in France which contains the oldest cave paintings ever found. The most striking thing about the film is that it is Herzog’s first foray into 3D. I hate 3D, as most people do because we have been totally inundated with it recently. However if there is any single movie that is worth the headaches it is this one. People other than the scientists examining the cave may never again be allowed in these caves as other similar caves were exposed to destructive mold from human breath. This is your best opportunity to see something that human eyes have not seen for almost 35,000 years. That’s older than any other piece of human culture on the entire earth.

Words cannot express just how incredible this film is. It’s a visceral and emotional experience. The 3D is especially jarring in some parts which I’m hoping they will fix for later showings. The reason is that they could not carry the necessary film equipment down into the cave. Certain moments there is a lens flare in one “eye” and not in others. I admit at certain times I had to close one eye or remove my glasses in order to keep from getting dizzy. But it is certainly worth those few moments in order to connect to the roots of all humanity. I want to see this film again as soon as I can. It is unlike anything you will ever see as long as you live. It’s an experience that leaves its mark on you forever. This is a once in a generation film. It is incredibly moving.