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Overlooked & Underrated Docs & Features
(click on broll or dschwartz for all his posts)
Two By Mettler: A Picture of Light and The End of Time Have you heard of Peter Mettler?
I sure hadn’t until I received two of his films from First Run Features. Receiving discs in the mail is routine. Discovering films by an unknown-to-me filmmaker whose work is so original, so challenging that it is its own genre, that is rare, probably once in a lifetime.
Before even attempting to put together a few unsatisfactory words describing the two films I’ve seen I contacted two media friends. The problem was simple: Is this another example of a filmmaker I should have learned about years ago, someone who everyone knows but me? Or, am I not alone in my ignorance?
As usual, both are true. The two media friends I contacted had not heard of the man. But now they will.
Though their production dates and, therefore, their image quality vary, “Picture of Light” (1994) and “The End of Time” (2012) are similar in tone and style. Roughly, “Picture of Light” is an arctic journey to the aurora borealis; and “The End of Time” features images of the Large Hadron Collider which sits astride the Franco-Swiss border. The film also includes images of volcanic lava flows in Hawaii. The collider, an apex of human technology; the volcano, an apex of nature.
Each of these films features sequences which appear to be non sequiturs. Each features scenes of people; each features narration of a reflective, philosophical nature by Mettler; and each utilizes drone-y, meditative soundtracks.
It is the synergy of these images—many of which are stills by virtue of Mettler’s photographic prowess—music, dialog, and monolog that form the power, mystery, and uniqueness of Mettler’s work.
First Run Features has done an invaluable service by introducing Mettler’s work to a larger audience. I’m looking forward to seeing all of Mettler’s films.
And by the way, the guy must work eight days a week. Just check out the BIO and NEWS tabs on his website—see the link above. You will learn about a prolific, creative genius with a global and glowing reputation.