Werner Herzog on the 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' - by Scientific American

Summary

Filmmaker Werner Herzog's documentary 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' explores the Chauvet Cave in France, which houses prehistoric artwork dating back to the last ice age. Herzog describes the experience as a time capsule, with the cave's pristine state suggesting recent activity despite the extinction of the depicted creatures like the woolly rhino and mammoth. The film, which required special permission to film due to the cave's fragility, offers a unique perspective on Paleolithic Europe and the creative process of ancient artists, with Herzog even using LED lights to recreate a sense of movement in the paintings, suggesting a prehistoric form of cinema.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The script discusses Werner Herzog's documentary 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams', which explores the Chauvet Cave in France.
• 🗺️ The Chauvet Cave is known for its extensive prehistoric artwork dating back to the last Ice Age.
• 🕰️ The cave was discovered in 1994, and Herzog is the first to document it in film, potentially the last due to preservation concerns.
• 🚫 Access to the cave is highly restricted to protect it from damage, with Herzog receiving special permission for limited filming hours.
• ⚠️ The cave's air is toxic, and filming had to be carefully managed to avoid exposure to these gases.
• 🦏 The film provides a unique view into Paleolithic Europe, featuring extinct creatures like the woolly rhino, mammoth, and cave bear.
• 🎨 Herzog suggests that the cave paintings may be the work of many artists over thousands of years, as evidenced by different painting styles and radiocarbon dating.
• 🦁 The lion paintings particularly captivated Herzog, with their intense focus and dynamic portrayal of movement.
• 🎬 Herzog claims the cave walls represent a form of prehistoric cinema, with paintings depicting movement in a series of images.
• 💡 The documentary uses LED lights, the only type allowed in the cave, to recreate the effect of the paintings as they would have appeared with torchlight.
• 📅 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' premiered in US theaters on April 29th, offering a rare opportunity for the public to experience the cave virtually.

Q & A

What is the Shovive Cave known for?

The Shovive Cave is known for its treasure trove of artwork that dates back to the last ice age.

What is the significance of Werner Herzog's documentary 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams'?

The documentary is significant as it is the first and possibly the last to document the Shovive Cave, providing an unprecedented glimpse into Paleolithic Europe and the creatures that once lived there.

Why is the Shovive Cave considered a time capsule?

The Shovive Cave is considered a time capsule because it has been preserved in a pristine state, giving the impression that it was just a few days ago that a cave bear walked along, despite the species being extinct for over 20,000 years.

What challenges did Herzog face while filming in the Shovive Cave?

Herzog faced challenges such as obtaining special permission from the French government, limited access time to minimize exposure to toxic gases, and the use of only LED lights for filming.

Why was Herzog possibly the last filmmaker to document the Shovive Cave?

The dangers of damaging the cave's delicate ecosystem, similar to what happened at the Lascaux Cave, make it unlikely that future filmmakers will be allowed to document the Shovive Cave.

What does Herzog suggest about the paintings in the Shovive Cave?

Herzog suggests that the paintings represent a kind of prehistoric cinema, with images that hint at movement and life, possibly created by many artists over thousands of years.

How does Herzog describe the experience of being in the Shovive Cave?

Herzog describes the experience as feeling very fresh, with the cave appearing as if it was just left a few days ago, and the sensation of hearing one's own heartbeat while holding their breath.

What modern invention did Herzog use to recreate the effect of the paintings in the Shovive Cave?

Herzog used LED lights to recreate the effect of the paintings, moving them to cast shadows and create a sense of space and drama, as understood and utilized by the ancient painters.

What evidence suggests that the paintings in the Shovive Cave were created by multiple artists over time?

Evidence such as radiocarbon dating and the overlaying of paintings, where one artist's work is completed or altered by another thousands of years later, suggests that the paintings were created by multiple artists.

When was the Shovive Cave discovered and by whom?

The Shovive Cave was discovered in 1994, but the documentary does not specify by whom.

What is the release date of Herzog's film 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' in US theaters?

The film 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' was released in US theaters on April 29th.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Herzog's Documentary on Shovive Cave Art

Filmmaker Werner Herzog describes his profound experience in the Shovive Cave in Southern France, which contains prehistoric artwork dating back to the last ice age. Herzog's documentary, 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams,' explores this treasure trove of art. The cave, discovered in 1994, is presented as a pristine time capsule, with Herzog noting the strikingly fresh appearance of the cave bear tracks, despite the species' extinction 20,000 years ago. Herzog was granted special permission by the French government to film in the cave, with strict limitations to protect the site from damage. The documentary offers a unique view into Paleolithic Europe, featuring extinct creatures like the woolly rhino, mammoth, and cave lions. Herzog is particularly captivated by the lion paintings, which display a collective focus on an unknown prey. The documentary also discusses how the paintings may be the work of many artists over thousands of years, as evidenced by radiocarbon dating. Herzog introduces the concept of 'prehistoric cinema,' suggesting that the paintings, when illuminated by torchlight, create a sense of movement and life, akin to early animation.

05:02

🌐 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' Premiere and Experience

The documentary 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' by Werner Herzog is set to premiere in US theaters on April 29th, offering a rare opportunity for the public to virtually explore the Shovive Cave. The film provides a dramatic portrayal of the space, utilizing LED lights to create dynamic shadows and enhance the sense of depth within the cave. Herzog's innovative approach to lighting and filming within the cave's delicate environment aims to preserve the integrity of the site while allowing viewers to experience the ancient artwork. The film promises to be an immersive journey into the world of our Paleolithic ancestors, inviting audiences to listen to the cave and perhaps even hear their own heartbeats, echoing Herzog's own experience.

Keywords

💡Shovavi Cave

The Shovavi Cave, also known as the Chauvet Cave, is a significant archaeological site in the south of France. It is renowned for its extensive and well-preserved Paleolithic artwork dating back to the last ice age. In the video, the Shovavi Cave is the central subject of Herzog's documentary, 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams,' which explores the cave's pristine state and the ancient artwork within.

💡Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog is a renowned German filmmaker known for his distinctive and often adventurous documentary and narrative films. In the context of the video, Herzog is the director of 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams,' which documents his unique experience and insights into the Shovavi Cave's artwork and its historical significance.

💡Paleolithic Art

Paleolithic Art refers to the artwork created during the Paleolithic era, which includes the Shovavi Cave's paintings. These artworks are significant for their age and the insight they provide into the life and culture of early humans. The video discusses the cave's artwork as a time capsule of Paleolithic Europe, with depictions of now-extinct creatures.

💡Cave Bear

The Cave Bear is an extinct species mentioned in the video script, which once roamed the area where the Shovavi Cave is located. The script describes the feeling of Herzog as if he could imagine a Cave Bear walking through the cave, emphasizing the cave's preservation as a time capsule.

💡Radiocarbon Dating

Radiocarbon dating is a scientific technique used to determine the age of an object containing organic material by measuring the amount of carbon-14 remaining. In the video, this method is used to date some of the charcoal paintings in the Shovavi Cave, revealing that they were created thousands of years apart by different artists.

💡Prehistoric Cinema

Herzog introduces the concept of 'Prehistoric Cinema' in the video to describe the way the cave paintings depict movement, similar to early animation techniques. For example, a bison is depicted with multiple legs to suggest galloping, and a woolly rhino is shown in multiple phases, akin to frames in a film.

💡LED Lights

LED lights are used in the video as the only permissible lighting source for filming inside the Shovavi Cave due to their non-heat-emitting properties, which prevent damage to the delicate artwork. Herzog uses these lights to create dramatic effects that highlight the cave's spatial dynamics and the movement of the ancient paintings.

💡Extinct Creatures

The video script mentions several now-extinct creatures depicted in the cave's artwork, such as the woolly rhino, woolly mammoth, and cave lion. These depictions provide a glimpse into the prehistoric bestiary of Europe and the environment in which early humans lived.

💡Toxic Gases

The presence of toxic gases in the Shovavi Cave is mentioned as a significant danger that limits access and filming time. The cave's air supply is affected by these gases, necessitating special permission and precautions, such as limited access hours, to ensure the safety of those entering.

💡Scientific American

Scientific American is a well-known magazine and website covering various aspects of science and technology. In the video, it is the publication that interviewed Herzog about his documentary and the Shovavi Cave, providing a platform for discussing the film's themes and insights.

💡Cave of Forgotten Dreams

This is the title of Herzog's documentary, which the video script revolves around. The film explores the Shovavi Cave's artwork and its significance, offering viewers a rare and immersive look into the ancient world through the lens of Herzog's filmmaking.

Highlights

Werner Herzog's documentary 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' explores the Shovavi Cave in southern France, which contains artwork from the last ice age.

The cave is described as a time capsule, with the pristine state of the artwork giving the impression of recent activity by extinct cave bears.

The Shovavi Cave was discovered in 1994, and Herzog is the first to document it on film, potentially the last due to preservation concerns.

Access to the cave for filming required special permission from the French government and was limited to a few hours per day to minimize exposure to toxic gases.

The film provides an unprecedented glimpse into Paleolithic Europe and the now-extinct creatures depicted in the cave's artwork.

Herzog was particularly captivated by the depictions of lions in the cave, which appear to be stalking an unknown prey.

New evidence suggests that the cave paintings are the work of many artists over thousands of years, as revealed by radiocarbon dating.

Herzog claims the cave walls represent a form of prehistoric cinema, with paintings depicting movement in a sequence similar to early cartoons.

The use of LED lights in the documentary recreates the effect of ancient torchlight, casting shadows and giving the paintings a sense of movement.

The documentary suggests that the painters of the cave may have utilized the dramatic effect of shadows and light to enhance the artwork.

Herzog's film 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' premiered in US theaters on April 29th, offering a rare opportunity to experience the cave virtually.

The documentary emphasizes the importance of preserving the cave's delicate ecosystem, as seen with the closure of the Lascaux cave due to mold growth.

The film explores the idea that each drawing in the cave may have had a single creator, contributing to the collective artistic narrative of the Paleolithic era.

Herzog's innovative use of modern technology, such as LED lights, allows for a unique interpretation of the ancient artwork within the cave.

The documentary invites viewers to consider the role of art and storytelling in ancient societies, as evidenced by the detailed cave paintings.

The Shovavi Cave's discovery and documentation highlight the ongoing importance of archaeological research in understanding our past.

Transcripts

[Music]

when you hold your breath you hear your

own

heartbeat that's how filmmaker verer

Herzog describes his experience visiting

the shovi cave in the south of France

the cave is a treasure Trove of artwork

that dates to the last ice age and it is

the subject of herzog's latest

documentary Cave of Forgotten

Dreams scientific Americans sat down

with the fame director to discuss his

film and the journey into the shovi cave

sometimes you had this feeling

everything is so

fresh and the cave was left in such a

pristine State as a perfect time capsule

you had the feeling it was just uh a few

days ago that a cave bear walked along

the the the tra the tracks are fairly

fresh but we know the Cave Bear Went

extinct some 20,000 years ago it's just

completely

stunning The shovi Cave was discovered

in 1994 but Herzog is the first to

document it on film and he may be the

last the dangers are too obvious Lasco

for example the most famous cave so far

before sh was discovered um allowed too

many people in there and the exhalation

the breath of too many people left a

mold on the walls which cannot be

controlled

easily and they had to shut it down

categorically so in order to film there

he had to get special permission from

the French government even then he was

only allowed access for a few hours per

day this was to minimize exposure to

toxic gases that poisoned the Cave's Air

Supply overcoming these obstacles was

well worth the effort the film gives us

an unprecedented glimpse into

Paleolithic Europe and the creatures

that once lived there all the creatures

entire

bestiary almost all of them extinct by

now the woolly Rhino the wooly mammoth

megaloceros

uh Cave

bears cave

Lions but because of the paintings we

know that the males had no main was

there a particular animal uh on the cave

walls that sort of captured your

imagination more than anything the

Lions because uh it's such an

ingenious Ensemble of lion

stalking stalking some prey and all the

eyes are completely focused at one

target and we don't know what they are

stalking it's easy to imagine each of

these drawings having a single Creator

but new evidence reveals they are the

work of many many artists sometimes

separated by thousands of years when you

look at some of the paintings somebody

uh makes a charcoal painting of a

reindeer and we can fairly precisely um

date it through radiocarbon dating and

somebody completes the picture and over

paints it somewhat we can establish that

this other person did it 5,000 years

later one of herzog's boldest claims is

that the cave walls represent a kind of

prehistoric Cinema uh what is striking

you see a galloping bison in the Bison

has eight legs somehow hinting movement

or you see a woolly Rhino and you see it

in in eight phases the the Horn of the

Rhino and the body just one next to the

other and and moving on as if it were an

early form of uh

cartoon cartoon movie in

phases and in a way that you had to

stand with the fires behind you and you

would have the panel of

horses as a person you would cast

shadows and the the animals Were Somehow

flickering and slightly moving with a

torch light uh these paintings would

pulse they would move they would have a

different

life but using the term Proto Cinema of

of course is a little bit

provocative Herzog doesn't leave his

Proto Cinema purely to

imagination he creates his own version

with the help of a very modern invention

LED

lights this was the only lighting he was

allowed to bring inside the cave what we

did is we would we would move the light

if there was a niche for example where

you are sitting and when you move the

light when you walk away with the light

all of a sudden the Shadows grow longer

and longer and uh it gives a very strong

sense of uh uh formation of space a

drama of space which was understood and

utilized by by the

painters herzog's film opens in US

theaters April 29th and for now it may

be the closest most of us can get to the

Cave of Forgotten Dreams for Scientific

American I'm Eric

Olen silence please we're going to

listen to The Cave

and perhaps we can even hear our own

Heartbeats

[Music]