OSCARS 2023: Fire of Love (2022)

Walt Disney sought to educate as much as entertain when he create his iconic studio. This is why the company produced a number of nature documentaries in the fifties and sixties. (As dubious as they might have been at times.) This goal has been forgotten and re-emphasized a few times over the decades. Yet, I'll admit, I was surprised when a Disney+ exclusive documentary became an award season frontrunner. "Fire of Love" is technically a National Geographic release, which was absorbed into the Disney behemoth some time ago. No matter how much Disney has tried to push documentaries to the forefront, I'm still surprised to see the company associated with ostensibly cutting edge documentary filmmaking. It's hard to imagine "Fire of Love" getting the praise it has without a major company like Disney backing it.

"Fire of Love" follows the life story of Katia and Maurice Krafft, a married pair of French volcanologists. The two, who fell in love over their mutual fascinations with volcanos, soon developed into some of the leading names in their field. They would become media darlings because of their colorful personalities, frequently appearing on television. Maurice and Katia were also filmmakers, chronicling their studies of the world's volcanos through countless hours of film and photographs. Sara Dosa's movie digs into the mountain of material the two scientists left behind following their deaths in 1991, during the eruption of Mount Unzen in Japan. 

When looking at people who run towards dangerous natural calamities like volcanos, instead of away from them, you can't help but ask questions. Namely: Why? Being French, it's somewhat unsurprising that Maurice and Katia provided many long, philosophical musings on their shared fascination with volcanos. Maurice was open about being something of a thrill-seeker, relating his lifelong dream to row a canoe down a lava flow. Yet both of them discuss falling in love with volcanos while witnessing eruptions as children. Their need to study these fiery bursts from the Earth seem rooted in some child-like awe at the wonders and mysteries of the world. In her writings, Katia went on in romantic ways about what volcanos meant to her. It's frankly touching to hear these thoughts elaborated on so eloquently, to see someone glowing with joy in the face of an event regarded with fear by most. Maurice and Katia's obsession with volcanos were so all-consuming that we hear several anecdotes where one or both were put in danger because they were so fixated on their favorite topics. Such as when Maurice received bad burns on his legs from standing in boiling water. Or the two having to be pulled out of the path of an eruption they were both watching intently. 

Dosa's film also can't help but devote some time to the extraordinary coincidence of these two volcano lovers finding one another. The details of their first meeting and/or date is recalled in a dreamy way. The two have differences in the how and why they show their passions. Katia examined the minutia of volcanos, scrutinizing every rock and bit of lava she could. Maurice was more daring, pulling stunts like sailing a rubber dingy on a lake of sulfuric acid or picking up a lump of lava with his gloved hands. Yet, ultimately, it's hard to understate the value of finding someone who speaks the same language as you. When Katia – an adorably chipmunk like woman, who is seen with actual chipmunks several times – looks up at Maurice, you see the love in her eyes. These two were bonded together over their shared love of volcanos, spending their lives and marriage chasing the same dream. That's an incredible foundation for a relationship.

Through readings of their writing and recordings, we often hear the Kraffts speak of volcanos in fascinated, awe-stricken fashions. Yet neither had any illusions of the danger and devastation associated with their passion. When we see the aftermath of a volcano in Zaire, Katia can only describe the destruction in hushed, apocalyptic terms. Following a massive volcanic mudslide in Colombia, that wipes out over 20,000 people, the Kraffts' study shifted. They began focusing on what they call "grey volcanos," the type that spew poisonous clouds of smoke, heat, and rock. (As opposed to what they call "red volcanos," which create predictable rivers of lava.) Understanding when a volcano might erupt, and minimizing the damage to human life, becomes the focus of their studies. This leads the eccentric couple towards a brand of humanism, balancing their admiration of the natural phenomenon with an eye towards protecting people. It's a fascinating arc to watch unfold.

The Kraffts' personal archives clearly provided Dosa with a wealth of footage to build "Fire of Love." The film makes the most of the extensive library when mixing the Kraffts' own recordings with readings of their words. The couple caught some extraordinary sights on camera. Scenes of lava flowing like a river down a mountain, or tossed into the air like a spectacular fireworks show, are truly spellbinding. "Fire of Love" is well assembled. However, sometimes the narration – provided by a grave sounding Miranda July – puts a little too fine a point on things. The same could be said of the whimsical animation that is periodically inserted. The Kraffts were fascinating and their home movies are incredible. Dosa does admirable work here but didn't have to add quite so much of herself at times.

Nevertheless, "Fire of Love" is a stunning experience that tells a touching story, centered around two unforgettable characters. The couple are so interesting, and their footage so impressive, that this isn't the only movie that has been made about them. Werner Herzog released a documentary on this same subject just last year. One imagines that Herzog, with his less than sentimental view of the natural world, had a very different take on this story. Until I see that one, "Fire of Love" stands as a totally compelling film in its own right. It might teach you some things about geology too. [8/10]