Werner Herzog takes us inside the Chauvet Cave in France, now closed to public view, to see some of the world’s oldest works of art: cave paintings that date back about 32,000 years. Eschewing the purely educational approach, Herzog opts to prioritize his unbridled —and contagious — awe. Interviews with scientists and historians provide context, but the camera lingers on the artwork itself, focusing on the intricacy and beauty of the paintings and conveying a palpable, inspiring sense of wonder.
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Werner Herzog’s fascinating look at the world’s oldest known paintings (Netflix)
Alissa Wilkinson covered film and culture for Vox. Alissa is a member of the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics.
”If you’re interested in the history of the human race — if you’re a member of the human race — you owe it to yourself to see this movie.” Dana Stevens, Slate
Release date: April 29, 2011
Streaming on: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play
Metacritic score: 86 out of 100
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