Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds is a 2020 documentary film directed by Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer. The film explores the cultural, spiritual, and scientific impact of meteorites, and the craters they create around the globe.
| Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds | |
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 Film poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Written by | Werner Herzog |
| Produced by |
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| Narrated by | Werner Herzog |
| Cinematography | Peter Zeitlinger |
| Edited by | Marco Capalbo |
| Music by | Ernst Reijseger |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Apple TV+ |
Release dates |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2020. It was released on Apple TV+ on November 13, 2020.
Production
editThe inspiration for the film came from Clive Oppenheimer's visit to a South Korean lab that studies and displays meteorites.[1] Enamored with the exotic nature of the stones and "the cultural significance of meteorites and impact craters to human societies around the world", he spoke with Werner Herzog about creating this documentary.[2]
The production filmed across 12 different locations, in 6 different continents.[3]
Release
editIn July 2020, Apple acquired the distribution rights to the film.[4] The film premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2020.[5] It was released on Apple TV+ on November 13, 2020.[6]
Critical reception
editOn review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 98% based on 43 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Much like the cosmic debris it investigates, Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds is made up of heavy stuff -- but it lights up the screen thanks to Werner Herzog's infectious awe."[7] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on 17 critics.[8]
The film received a nomination for the 2020 Critics' Choice Documentary Awards for Best Narration.[9]
References
edit- ^ Blyth, Antonia (2020-10-14). "Werner Herzog & Clive Oppenheimer's 'Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds' Is No Ordinary Doc: "There's A Lot Of Wild Stuff In It"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ Ames, Jeff (2020-11-20). "CS Interviews: Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer Discuss Fireball". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ Nelson, Dustin (2020-11-13). "Werner Herzog on Meteorites, Stargazing and His New Apple Doc 'Fireball'". Thrillist. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (2020-07-24). "Werner Herzog's 'Fireball' Joins Apple TV+ Documentary Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ McCarthy, Todd (2020-09-17). "Film Review: Werner Herzog's 'Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ Hersko, Tyler (2020-10-16). "'Fireball' Trailer: Werner Herzog Investigates Meteors in His Apple TV+ Documentary". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ "Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ "Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Critics Choice Documentary Awards | Critics Choice Awards". Critics' Choice Awards. 2020-11-16. Archived from the original on 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2021-01-11.