Nathaniel Nelson / Winonan

When someone talks about documentarians, the first name that comes to mind is almost always Werner Herzog, and for good reason. The man is not only adept and ingenious, but also one of the most well-rounded directors in all of cinema. Dealing with intense subject matter and themes, Herzog is a master at guiding audiences to places they never dreamed existed, and instilling ideals that cannot be fully explained. His 30th documentary feature, “Into The Inferno,” utilizes the combination of light-hearted interviews, emotional depth and relentless humanism to take the viewer into the depths of human and volcanic history, showcasing a beautiful view of our relationship with one of the deadliest forces on Earth.

“Into The Inferno” looks at how civilizations all over the world interact with volcanoes and the internal forces of the Earth, from the religious and spiritual to the strictly scientific. Herzog, along with his co-director and volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer, travel across the globe showcasing the intricacies and complexities involved in humanity’s connection to volcanoes. From the historic eruptions in Iceland, to archaeological digs in Ethiopia, to spiritual dances in Indonesia, the film covers a variety of ground to give a varied web of situations and interactions.

Herzog’s directorial style is filled with character and wonder, but it’s not exactly conventional. For one, he prides himself on not using a storyboard and shooting everything candidly and actively. For most films, that style wouldn’t work, but Herzog makes it shine. His years of filmmaking experience allow him to capture beautifully framed sequences in the heat of the moment, with subtle mistakes and idiosyncrasies adding character instead of detracting quality. Another interesting thing is his insistence on being a part of his films. He is an ever-present force in his films, and this one feels particularly personal. He met Oppenheimer while shooting “Encounters at the End of the World” in Antarctica, which is shown during a section of the film. By giving context to the relationship between Herzog behind the camera, and Oppenheimer in front, it lets audiences view the story through the eyes of the director instead of a passive view through a camera.

The content itself takes on a second meaning. On the surface, the film is a documentary on volcanoes, but the true focus is multi-cultural belief systems. Herzog always has a tendency to look at humanity with a questioning eye, using his films to produce a sort of abstract mirror on his own thoughts. In his previous film, “Lo and Behold”, this came out in the form of an analytical look at the development of the technological world. Here, the subjects themselves take on the form of Herzog’s thoughts. Each subject is unique and interesting, with personality and bombast. But Herzog frames his interactions with them in small vignettes, punctuated by beautiful cinematography of active volcanoes. Using his telltale narration, he lets audiences see and hear what he wants them to hear, and for a documentary, that’s commendable.

Going back to the cinematography, the film is just plain gorgeous. With a flair of poetic realism, Herzog depicts these almost alien environments with a sense of simplistic beauty that is usually reserved for fiction-focused directors like Terrence Malick and the Coen Brothers. There are multiple instances of drone photography, which for the filming of volcanoes is the perfect choice. But the biggest boon for the film is Herzog’s eye for the small moments. With a simple focus variation, or just strategic framing and symbolism, he can make the mundane feel like the spectacular.

Now, it’s hard to say what a perfect documentary is, in the end. If you were to judge “Into The Inferno” on it’s informational display of volcanoes, it probably wouldn’t be received well. And narratively, this isn’t Herzog’s best, (that distinction still lies with “Grizzly Man”). However, in the vein of “The Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” “Lo and Behold” and “Encounters at the End of the World,” Herzog crafts a documentary that is about things larger than just a history channel special. “Into The Inferno” is about humanity, spirituality and questioning what those really mean. 4.5/5.

-By Nathaniel Nelson