Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival

The awe-inspiring monochrome images of Brazlian photographic maestro, Sebãstiao Salgado, are finally exhibited here on the big screen that they almost seem made for. Their majesty, and the horrors of mankind and the wonders of nature they represent, is tempered by two different, but equally intimate, honest perspectives: that of friend and world-renowned filmmaker, Wim Wenders (Pina, Buena Vista Social Club), and Salgado’s son, Juliano. Both blend into the background to make way for Salgado’s great works, behind every one of which is a story – of famine, war, exodus and the brutality that almost destroyed the ex-economist’s ability to photograph, hope and live. With a luscious score and sound design, this engrossing, provoking, Oscar-nominated work has a philosophy all of its own.