A truly remarkable documentary from Werner Herzog, one of modern cinema’s most interesting directors.
The film explores the life and death of Timothy Treadwell, an amateur grizzly bear expert and wildlife preservationist. Although the events chronicled here might initially sound strange or even vaguely comic – a bear enthusiast is ultimately killed by one of the animals he has sworn to ‘protect’ – Herzog has managed to create a haunting portrait of an obsessive individual whilst shining a light on man’s relationship to the natural world. Featuring interviews with Treadwell’s friends and acquaintances – as well as a lot of revealing footage the man himself shot whilst living amongst the bears in Alaska – it highlights the tortured soul of a man who felt more comfortable living in the wild but also underlines the dark barriers that exist when man steps outside his natural habitat. Featuring a beautiful musical score from Richard Thompson it is one of the most compelling and memorable documentaries released in a long time. (Revolver Entertainment, 15)