Is a documentary about caves the next 'Avatar'?

By Sarah Sluis

Werner Herzog is a director like no other, switching between narrative films and documentaries and always

keeping the unexpected in focus. His latest work, the 3D documentary Cave of Forgotten Dreams, was picked up by IFC at the Toronto International Film Festival. I can only imagine how stunning it would be to conceptualize the depth and spacing of caves on the big screen. What's more, Herzog had access to the freshly discovered Chauvet cave in south France and its ancient paintings. Kudos to IFC for picking this one up.

Interestingly, reactions on the use of 3D in the film were totally mixed:

Cinematical had this to say about the 3D:

"Apparently the resurgent 3-D gimmick has now infected the realm of low-budget documentary filmmaking -- and the gimmick does this film no favors. Even using the finest cameras in the world, 3-D has proven itself to be an inconsistent film companion at best, but given the cameras that Herzog's crew are using ... it just doesn't work. When the camera holds still and simply focuses on one of the concave walls on which are emblazoned massive horses, the 3-D gives us a little extra depth and detail -- but when the camera starts moving the 3-D becomes a consistent annoyance."

Screen Daily was more kind:

"Herzog's decision to shoot in 3-D is the film's greatest asset. When

one expert decides to demonstrate the use of hunting spears they come

hurtling from the screen into the lap of the viewer.This is a rare

instance of the 3-D appearing gimmicky. Most of the time it enhances

the depth of perspective as we glimpse the art and travel through the

claustrophobic caves. Crystals sparkle and it feels like being back

among the fireflies on Pandora in Avatar as you truly feel you could

reach out and touch the stalactites or brush your hand across a

painting."

My verdict? I'll have to see the film to decide.

Elsewhere in the 3D world, Jeffrey Katzenberg bemoaned shoddy 2D to 3D conversions and prescription 3d glasses are in the works. Another indie director (at least to American audiences), Takashi Miike (known for his truly horrifying movie Audition) announced that he will film his next movie in 3D. The 1962 Japanese film Harakiri (Seppuku), which centers on a man who seeks revenge after his son-in-law is forced into performing harakiri, will get the remake treatment. The ritual suicide can be meted down as punishment for a crime or act of dishonor, with the offender executing himself by inserting a knife into his abdomen in a left-to-right motion (read more than you ever wanted to know about the ritual here).

With 3D films being produced in so many corners of the marketplace, and theatres equipped to show them, I don't think 3D will be leaving anytime soon.