Showing at : Institute of Contemporary Arts (The Mall)
Dir : Werner Herzog
This is a documentary and character study in the classical Herzog tradition. Meet Dr Dorrington; a London University Professor obsessed with air-balloons; or to be more precise obsessed with designing an air balloon that will allow the pilot to float precisely within a few inches of the jungle canopy so that samples can be gotten of rare flaura and fauna. The documentary follows the mild mannered professor to the 'Kaieteur Falls' in the heart of Guyanan rainforest in South America, to test fly his contraption. The worlds canopies are home to an abundance of wildlife and remain relatively unexplored.
The subject of the documentary is Dr Dorrington himself; effervescent and brimming with enthusiasm and totally obsessed with his balloon. He reveals himself to be an intriguing character; complex, multi-layered, driven, restless and an eternal dreamer. He, like Joseph Conrad's protagonist in 'Heart of Darkness', is tormented by his past. A past which provides the incendiary for his scientific exploits that aim to challenge both himself and the universe. Werner Herzog has always been fascinated by such archetypal figures and what they represent; the lone, obsessed misanthrophe pushing forward and revealing, to all eyes that have insatiable appetite and wonder, the mysteries of the universe. There is a childishness at the heart of it all, a reckless childish desire to 'float freely' above the trees like a school kid; which is ironic because it is this childishness that ultimately leads to humanities greatest discoveries (and which we through the education system try to suppress)
It is characters like Dr Dorrington, with their puerile obsessiveness, their quirks and infinite compulsion, that drive forward human achievement. The documentary is essential viewing if not for the way it handles its central character, with warmth and candour, then for its ability to shine a spotlight and hold up a mirror to our own inner characters and daemons
- essential viewing indeed.
For within the chaotic and tormented soul a great broth, black and brooding, awaits. From whence look! beautiful butterfly strumming on heavenly currents, does do escape!
