In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Thursday 7 April 2016

Dark Star: H.R. Giger's World (2014)

A documentary that invites viewers into the Swiss artist's world and home, a retreat hidden within a protective border of trees and shadow. I've been a Giger fan since I was a teenager, so I knew I'd find something of value even if the rest was sycophantic or flat, but the film is surprisingly good.
It was filmed in the year leading up to his death. He looks worn out, as if the amazing talent he carried for so long has extracted a toll and he's merely waiting for the inevitable; even conversing seems laborious for him.
The fly on the wall moments are coupled with interviews of his many aides and slow-moving appreciations of the art, so it's for fans of the paintings not his film work, because, while Alien is featured, his other projects are either blink and you'll miss it (Dune) or mentioned/shown only briefly (Species).

3½ shelved skulls out of 5

1 comment:

cuckoo said...

I've seen so many Giger things over the years I don't even know if I've seen this or not. :erm:
Doc Memory hard at work.

I don't think I've seen this one as it's more recently released.
Will seek out.