River (2021)

Director: Jennifer Peedom, Joseph Nizeti

Narrated by: Willem Dafoe

Primary genre: Documentary

“River” is a vehicle that celebrates one of the most important yet underrated resources that have been furnished to mankind by nature: rivers. Jennifer Peedom (and co-director Joseph Nizeti) based their new documentary on a compilation of drone, aerial and frequently from outer space footage that showcases the majesty of rivers in a global scale: from the sun drenched desserts of Egypt to the rain soaked tropics of South East Asia.

Visually, this presentation is nothing short of spectacular with nature itself delivering images of tremendous poetic beauty that celebrate and enhance the role and contributions of these ‘water snakes’ towards humankind’s awakening. Indeed, nature is the world’s most exceptional artist showcasing tree-like structures of rivers that stretch for hundred of miles the way a carpenter carves a design in a wooden panel in exquisite detail.

Under Willem Dafoe’s voice, we are given a historical perspective of how humans used rivers so far. Trade, transport, relocation and occasionally, war are among the themes that are admirably mentioned but albeit with a running time of 75 minutes, are superficial explored. The filmmakers make a strong case for humanity’s dependent relationship with these ancient ‘gods’ dispensing lyrical skepticism for the manifestation of our environment to suit our ever growing needs. Half-way through though a segment of early 19/20th century material feels like a cheap ploy in a made for TV documentary .

“River” acts exactly as a collage of different voices, a condensed version of BBC world’s renowned nature documentaries if you like, without a particular and most importantly, singular style (just see the number executives after the credits!). (Co)Director Jennifer Peedom mentioned that she developed this film during the worldwide lockdown period and it shows: most of the work seems to review footage that others have shot, providing a comfort of a safe approach to such an interesting concept as opposed to what Ron Fickle did with his way superior thematically, visually and musically experimental documentaries of “Baraka” (1992) and “Samsara” (2011).

Employing the Australian Chamber Orchestra to dress the proceedings extends this sentiment even further. Getting their own introduction before the film begins ensures that we are watching a live concert instead of a thematically challenging documentary. Their performance (because that is how it feels) does not extend beyond well-known classical renditions of great pieces of music leaving this to a handful of bizarre collaborations with artists (e.g., Thom Yorke of Radiohead). The directors supposedly wanted to make the most of using such a musical tool but forgot to prioritize the audience’s thinking; the constant musical proceedings undermine any images worthy of contemplation with a particularly loud and dramatic violin solo during an environmental segment that the only thing missing from the screen is an Greenpeace activist shouting ‘Disaster!’.

Unlike Peedom’s own “Sherpa” (2015) which bore a distinct voice, breathtaking visuals and a remarkable restrain to over-explain, “River” is overshadowed by its over-performing soundtrack and a lack of actual documentaristic power. The visuals are almost constantly superb but a hollow sentiment remains after the viewing experience.

Visually tremendous but lacking pathos

+Outstanding vistas and visuals

+Employing the Australian Chamber Orchestra

+Interesting themes

-Not fully explored though

-No original score

-Musical collaborations do not fit the tone

-Feels more like a compilation of voices

-Lacks raw documentary power