French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft died on June 3, 1991 on the slopes of Mount Unzen, Japan.
The fate of the Kraffts has been known since the beginning of Sara Dosa’s documentary, narrated by Miranda July. The director and producer then goes back in time to tell us the story of this extraordinary couple.
Supported by alternately grandiose, moving or humorously bizarre texts, the pictures of “Fire of Love: In the Heart of the Volcanoes” show the life of the Kraffts in an original way and focus on the love triangle between Katia and Maurice with volcanoes. Since the beginning of their careers, the two volcanologists have given free rein to their double passion. They work together, travel together, take insane risks to come back with pictures, rocks, analysis, and a better scientific knowledge of these lava spitters.
Archive images are real treasures. Interviews, popularization programs, the daily life of the couple, Sara Dosa allows us to better understand these two scientists for the less original ones – Maurice’s dream is to create a “river” on board a boat that would resemble an astronaut’s module “ descending from lava landing.
The lyric – at times a bit ponderous, let’s face it – of the tale offers a poetic look at a subject that might have slipped into scholarly dryness. We are both amazed and terrified by the power of nature, moreover, “Fire of Love: In the Heart of the Volcanoes” can appeal to a young audience who is passionate about nature.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5