• Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2011)

    In this documentary, filmmaker Werner Herzog and a small crew are given a rare chance to film inside France's Chauvet Cave, where the walls are covered with the world's oldest surviving paintings. To preserve the art, people are allowed to enter the site for only two weeks a year. Examining the 30,000-year-old drawings, Herzog discusses how the artwork represents humanity's earliest...

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Cave of Forgotten Dreams
86
metacriticBased on 34 Critics
68
Based on 53 Users

Release Date: April 29th, 2011

DVD Release Date: November 29th, 2011

G |1 hr 30 min

Plot Summary

In this documentary, filmmaker Werner Herzog and a small crew are given a rare chance to film inside France's Chauvet Cave, where the walls are covered with the world's oldest surviving paintings. To preserve the art, people are allowed to enter the site for only two weeks a year. Examining the 30,000-year-old drawings, Herzog discusses how the artwork represents humanity's earliest dreams with scientists and art scholars conducting research at Chauvet.

Cast: Werner Herzog

Director: Werner Herzog

Genres: Documentary

Production Co: Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Arte France, History

Keywords: Fascinating, France, Quest, 2010s

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 70
    Jeannette CatsoulisNPR

    With its whispery conversations, sepulchral atmosphere and soothing play of light and shadow, Cave of Forgotten Dreams is probably best enjoyed in a chemically enhanced state of mind. show more

  • 90
    Stephanie ZacharekMovieline

    Cave of Forgotten Dreams is compelling, sometimes in a hypnotic, sleepy-bye way. show more

  • 90
    Kirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood Reporter

    To call this movie fascinating is akin to calling the Grand Canyon large. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

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