THE WHITE DIAMOND is another Werner Herzog documentary with the film-maker doing what he does best: chronicling the efforts of a passionate, some might say obsessed, outsider to fulfil his plans in a hostile jungle environment. This one sees a British engineer chasing his lifetime ambition of flying his self-made airship above a huge South American waterfall.
The premise is straightforward but as usual Herzog uses it as a mere basis to explore his true obsessions. Death is a subject which hangs heavy over the production throughout, while the beauty of nature comes to light in some exemplary cinematography. I particularly enjoyed the way that some Guyanan locals become important to the story; their interviews are a highlight. The scenes of the floating airship have an ethereal quality to them, familiar from the likes of FITZCARRALDO. As usual, it's the human interest that makes this documentary so moving, so engrossing to watch, and another feather in the cap of the celebrated director.
The premise is straightforward but as usual Herzog uses it as a mere basis to explore his true obsessions. Death is a subject which hangs heavy over the production throughout, while the beauty of nature comes to light in some exemplary cinematography. I particularly enjoyed the way that some Guyanan locals become important to the story; their interviews are a highlight. The scenes of the floating airship have an ethereal quality to them, familiar from the likes of FITZCARRALDO. As usual, it's the human interest that makes this documentary so moving, so engrossing to watch, and another feather in the cap of the celebrated director.