Encounters at the End of the World (Werner Herzog, 2008): USA

Reviewed by Kevin Tran

Encounters at the End of the World is Herzog’s latest documentary that takes him to the majestic continent of Antarctica. There, he photographs the beautiful landscape and interacts with the diverse few people who live at the most southern point on the globe. Although there are penguins in the film, the film is nothing like the last great Antarctic documentary, March of the Penguins. On the contrary, the ringleader of this documentary is acclaim German director Werner Herzog, which makes the film experience just as special and unique as he is. Herzog’s quest is to better understand human being’s place within world, all while capturing new images that have never been seen before. Some viewers may get caught up in Herzog’s philosophy/spirituality as he searches for grandiose answers at the end of the world (which I don’t think he finds), but what is really the heart of the film are the encounters that he makes with blue-collar workers and scientist, all outcasts who don’t belong anywhere other than at the bottom of the map. This is where the humor, eccentricity, warmth of the film really comes about. So if it’s not the stunning scenery that makes you want to go to the cold, isolated continent; it must be the interesting people who live there.