VOD film review: Fire of Love
Review Overview
Footage
8Feels
8Ivan Radford | On 12, Nov 2022
Director: Sara Dosa
Cast: Miranda July, Katia Krafft, Maurice Krafft
Certificate: 12
“If he is going to die, I’d rather be with him.” Those are the words of Katia Krafft, reflecting on her husband, Maurice Krafft, a fellow volcanologist. The couple traversed the globe chasing eruptions of lava, a quest that gave knowledge to the rest of us and gave jaw-dropping support and affection towards each other.
The daring pair documented all their discoveries and journeys, ultimately dying in Japan during the Mount Unzen’s eruption in 1991. Their legacy and work caught the eye of Werner Herzog, who included them into his awe-inspiring documentary Into the Inferno. Fire of Love is a more personal affair, using their own footage to craft a celebration of their bold adventuring spirit and their unbreakable bond. The video archives are nothing short of spectacular, taking us close up to volcanoes without holding back and seemingly without fear of what might happen to them.
If the volcanoes vary to a surprising degree in temperament, the steadfast devotion of Katie and Maurice, and their constant shared curiosity, adds a beautiful, lyrical element to their scientific endeavours. Director Sara Dosa and editors Erin Casper and Jocelyne Chaput match the montage of natural wonder and intimidating disaster with a thoughtful narration from Miranda July. What drove them on is, the film suggests, what drew them together, and the weaving, dancing poetry of that fiery romance makes for an unexpected, moving documentary quite unlike any other you’ll see this year.