documentary as work of art

darwin’s nightmare. a documentary about nile perch in lake victoria and the effect on the perch on the ecology, economy and politics of the area around the lake. instead of using the typical tools of the documentarian (talking heads, voice overs), director hubert sauper lets the narrative unfold using on screen dialog and visual imagery. go see.

from new york times review
But “Darwin’s Nightmare” is also a work of art. Given the gravity of Mr. Sauper’s subject, and the rigorous pessimism of his inquiry, it may seem a bit silly to compliment him for his eye. There are images here that have the terrifying sublimity of a painting by El Greco or Hieronymus Bosch: rows of huge, rotting fish heads sticking out of the ground; children turning garbage into makeshift toys. At other moments, you are struck by the natural loveliness of the lake and its surrounding hills, or by the handsome, high-cheekboned faces of many of the Tanzanians.