Hey there cinephile friends,

Right, tomorrow we’re tackling Salt and Fire, the kinda weird but kinda fascinating 2016 flick by Werner Herzog. This film, man, it’s like putting köttbullar in a taco—strange yet intriguing. You know you’re in for something special when that brilliant yet eccentric German mind is behind the camera.

First things first, the plot. So, we have this environmental disaster kicking off in Bolivia, right? Posh scientist Laura (played by Veronica Ferres) gets kidnapped with her colleagues. The twist? Instead of some ransoms and chases, they end up hanging out with some mysterious CEO types, including Michael Shannon, who always seems like he’s hiding a deep secret. It’s like Andersson’s dream journal, packed with surreal landscapes and moral quandaries.

So, yeah, the cinematography is a stunner. Herzog really knows how to use the natural world to make us feel tiny and huge at the same time. Watching this film made me remember this one summer night in Sörmland where I sat on a rock after a quick dip, staring at the infinite stars, pondering how insignificant yet calmingly significant we all are. It’s visually just as breathtaking.

However, gotta be real with you, the dialogue… är du galen? It’s hit-or-miss. Maybe I’m just too used to the quicker, snappier exchanges in Bergman films. And Michael Shannon and Ferres—excellent actors, no doubt—sometimes look like they’re puzzling together IKEA instructions instead of emoting. It feels a tad disjointed, like a sailboat in a storm, you know.

Now, the themes. Oh la la, Herzog goes deep. It’s like he’s grilling us about environmental responsibility, but not just the usual stuff. He delves into the cosmic, philosophical side of it. Fans of cinematic chin-scratching will have a field day. Though, be warned, it can get a bit pretentious. But then again, ain’t that Herzog’s charm?

Honestly, Salt and Fire is a bit like a rabarberpaj—an acquired taste. You might not love the entire experience, but certain bites will leave you delighted and contemplative. Flick it on a Friday when you’re in the mood for something uniquely Herzog-y.

Here’s the trailer link, enjoy: Salt and Fire