I’m grateful that SXSW includes a “Festival Favorites” section that includes titles that have played elsewhere and been popular since it’s often not until a festival has ended or all of its screenings have concluded that I hear about something I’m told I have to see. Fortunately, the documentary Fire of Love which was acquired by National Geographic (for quite a sum), meaning that those without access to film festivals will be able to see this inventive and visually striking film soon enough…
This is the story of Katia & Maurice Krafft, married French scientists who spent their lives – and eventually met their deaths – exploring volcanoes. A phenomenon that many read about in history books or go to see from far, far away served as the regular subject of their work. Their collection of photos and videos is absolutely stunning, and this film runs just 91 minutes, meaning that there is surely much more out there that was deemed not quite as incredible or astonishing.
Fire of Love looks at the relationship of these two, who were casual and jovial in interviews together, occasionally joking about the strain the high intensity of what they did put on their marriage. They were clear partners and didn’t let anything stop them, including obstacles like a car stuck in the snow that serves as the opening of the film. They were well aware of the danger that they faced every time, and this film respectfully shows the stunning and frightening imagery that they captured during their last assignment, the one in which they ultimately perished.
This doesn’t quite fall into the category of a science documentary even though that’s inherently what it’s about, and it should prove engaging for a wide range of audiences given the incomparable nature of what the Kraffts capture. It’s not merely about pictures, since these volcanoes have important histories, including Krakatoa, which erupted in 1883 and killed over 36,000 people. There is something captivating and mesmerizing about these extremely destructive entities, arguably less terrifying than something like a tornado but still massive and awe-inspiring. This film does a superb job of conveying their majesty and their beauty, and the sweetness of a couple who devoted their lives to bringing them closer to the rest of the world. B+
Fire of Love makes its Texas premiere in the Festival Favorites section at the SXSW Film Festival.