REVIEW: Encounters at the End of the World
by Patrick McKeown l Contributor
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Opinion
When naming the seven continents, Antarctica was usually the one that was said last. It was the continent that didn't really exist outside of the classroom, a destination that no one went to for vacation; unless of course your friends happened to be the children of scientists who studied glaciers. But that was the only exception.
In going to see Werner Herzog's new film, Encounters at the End of the World, I had expected to see the typical National Geographic format; lots of scientists running around talking about obscure subjects that no one can refute them on.
Although these types came later, Herzog first shows us the largest base in all of Antarctica, called McMurdo, which appears to be a heavily disjointed office park, but loses the charade as it lies solely on the Ross Sea.
The type of people who are attracted to such danger and excitement are the type who get their jollies from studying such things as single-celled organisms which, if you shrank yourself to their level, would demolish humans in an instant.
Not knowing why a scientist would mention this, I let them do the talking. I allowed this primarily for the reason that the scientists seem to thrive on work and productivity alone.
Other than scientists, it seems the only other denizens are those 'freaks' as they refer to themselves, who move to Antarctica to be with their brethren. They hang out in the bars-that's right, Antarctica has bars-where they partake in such Houdini-like activities as escaping from baggage that is much smaller than themselves. In this same bar there's also a bearded lady, which is awesome.
Although the bearded lady is hard to top, Henry Kaiser stands as the real hero of this documentary. Kaiser, an experimental guitarist and underwater photographer, captures nature's ice sculptures, mysterious octopi, and starfish that look more like something from Star Wars than real life.
As if recollections of Star Wars weren't enough, Herzog and Kaiser capture the song of the seals. I think that most people, myself included, are much more used to hearing the drone of the humpback whale as seen in Reading Rainbow and countless Eyewitness movies. The whale utters enough sounds to make two or three chords.
The seal, on the other hand, seems to have an unlimited supply of whoops, shoops, booms, pops, and other sounds that translate even worse into words. When in harmony, it sounds, according to one witness, "like Pink Floyd." But fear not, Pink Floyd haters, the seal doesn't play "Money" or "The Wall." It is by far the most amazing, ethereal sound I have heard, with the exception of Homer & Jethro.
Encounters, at times, lost my interest with the eccentrics that seemed to emerge from the glaciers so Herzog can expose them to the world. I am not sure that I agree with the ethical implications, but after three or four of these extraordinary people, the point is lost. Does Antarctica have many interesting people? Yes. Do I want to meet more than five? No. But interlaced with these stories is some of the most extraordinary photography and music which is rarely found.
And don't forget the bearded lady.
In going to see Werner Herzog's new film, Encounters at the End of the World, I had expected to see the typical National Geographic format; lots of scientists running around talking about obscure subjects that no one can refute them on.
Although these types came later, Herzog first shows us the largest base in all of Antarctica, called McMurdo, which appears to be a heavily disjointed office park, but loses the charade as it lies solely on the Ross Sea.
The type of people who are attracted to such danger and excitement are the type who get their jollies from studying such things as single-celled organisms which, if you shrank yourself to their level, would demolish humans in an instant.
Not knowing why a scientist would mention this, I let them do the talking. I allowed this primarily for the reason that the scientists seem to thrive on work and productivity alone.
Other than scientists, it seems the only other denizens are those 'freaks' as they refer to themselves, who move to Antarctica to be with their brethren. They hang out in the bars-that's right, Antarctica has bars-where they partake in such Houdini-like activities as escaping from baggage that is much smaller than themselves. In this same bar there's also a bearded lady, which is awesome.
Although the bearded lady is hard to top, Henry Kaiser stands as the real hero of this documentary. Kaiser, an experimental guitarist and underwater photographer, captures nature's ice sculptures, mysterious octopi, and starfish that look more like something from Star Wars than real life.
As if recollections of Star Wars weren't enough, Herzog and Kaiser capture the song of the seals. I think that most people, myself included, are much more used to hearing the drone of the humpback whale as seen in Reading Rainbow and countless Eyewitness movies. The whale utters enough sounds to make two or three chords.
The seal, on the other hand, seems to have an unlimited supply of whoops, shoops, booms, pops, and other sounds that translate even worse into words. When in harmony, it sounds, according to one witness, "like Pink Floyd." But fear not, Pink Floyd haters, the seal doesn't play "Money" or "The Wall." It is by far the most amazing, ethereal sound I have heard, with the exception of Homer & Jethro.
Encounters, at times, lost my interest with the eccentrics that seemed to emerge from the glaciers so Herzog can expose them to the world. I am not sure that I agree with the ethical implications, but after three or four of these extraordinary people, the point is lost. Does Antarctica have many interesting people? Yes. Do I want to meet more than five? No. But interlaced with these stories is some of the most extraordinary photography and music which is rarely found.
And don't forget the bearded lady.
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