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Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Documentary, History

Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France, capturing the oldest known pictorial creations of humankind in their astonishing natural setting.


The critical consensus

Interesting questions are raised about why humans feel the impulse to pass on their knowledge through art to future generations.

***(*)(*)Tom Dawson, The List, 02/03/2011

After the millionth lingering shot of a cave wall, you may be less enthused, but this is still a worthwhile trip.

***(*)(*)Ellen E Jones, Total Film, 14/03/2011

Although at 1 hour, 35 minutes his documentary can feel like a museum tour that goes on too long, it’s a magical experience.

***(*)(*)Alison Rowat, The Herald, 17/03/2011

A typically quixotic documentary in which great unknown artists from 35,000 years ago collaborate with one in 2011. Profound, mysterious and utterly absorbing.

****(*)Adam Smith, Empire Online, 21/03/2011

There’s a mesmerising 40-minute film trying to get out.

Paul Greenwood, Evening Times, 24/03/2011

Underground art with Werner Herzog.

**(*)(*)(*)Chris Tookey, Daily Mail, 24/03/2011

The spectacle is, in a very real sense, awesome.

****(*)Anthony Quinn, The Independent, 25/03/2011

The film is rich in stern awe and disciplined wonder.

****(*)Sukhdev Sandhu, The Telegraph, 25/03/2011

A tremendous documentary.

*****Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 24/03/2011

This is a serviceably engrossing study of a fascinating subject, rather than a full-blown visionary essay.

Jonathan Romney, The Independent on Sunday, 27/03/2011

What stops this from being as enjoyably eccentric as other recent Herzog documentaries, though, is the barmy Bavarian's failure to get the team of experts accompanying him to open up about their own lives.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 26/03/2011

It is a fascinating film.

Philip French, The Observer, 27/03/2011

An eye-opening and often quite mystical experience.

****(*)Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express, 25/03/2011


Features about Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams: the real art underground

Simon McBurney, The Guardian, 17/03/2011

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday April 29, 2011, until Thursday May 5, 2011. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com

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