Netflix recaps the devastating 2019 Whakaari volcano eruption off the coast of New Zealand with new documentary Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari. Directed by Academy Award nominee Rory Kennedy (Last Days in Vietnam) and executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio (don’t look up) and Ron Howard (We Feed the People), this feature follows the horrific minute-by-minute experiences of groups of tourists on the island, whose routine excursions turn into a nightmare of toxic ash and lava. Using firsthand accounts of survivors and rescuers, he seems to perceive the sheer horror of that day for all who fall for it. The trailer shows some distressing footage captured during the explosion and shares some of the experiences of those involved.
The trailer opens by setting the scene for that day. The day was gorgeous and the walk was perfect. Still, there was always the possibility that things could go terribly wrong, and all hell broke loose when the volcano erupted. As the ash began to fall, footage is shown of tourists on boats and on the island struggling to get away from the blast, but it was nearly impossible to escape unharmed, as evidenced by the wounds the survivors still bear. Survivors of that day remember the otherworldly heat on the island and the fear of no hope of survival. Despite the dire conditions, many rescuers went out to save as many people as possible, despite the police and others being banned from the island. The images highlight how a community came together to save so many people on the island who would otherwise be doomed.
volcano nowadays it is largely possible due to the fact that cell phones are in common with cameras. If the cinematographers Dominic Fryer, Mike Jonathan, Mark Lapwoodand murray milne Helping it all come together, Kennedy told Filmmaker Magazine that it was the images taken by tourists that allowed him to create the feeling that every moment in the disaster mattered. “Given the proliferation of cell phones and video cameras and the fact that this is truly a tourist activity, I believed there had to be footage that would keep me close to the ground minute by minute. structuring the film in this way would result in something bigger than the sum of those minutes,” he said.
Everything We Know About volcano: Rescue from Whakaari
Kennedy first screened the documentary at the AFI and DOC NYC film festivals before the anniversary of the explosion that killed 22 people. Volcano The latest in a long series of documentaries for the prolific filmmaker, known for his Academy Award nomination and directorial efforts. Last Days in Vietnam, american hollow, Ghosts of Abu Ghraiband more recently, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing. He has two other untitled features in his works, one of which will focus on Synanon and the other on World War II refugees.
Alongside DiCaprio and Howard, the film’s executive producers were also present. Brian Grazer, Jennifer Davisonand Phillip Watson. Mark Bailey, Dallas Brennan Rexer, Sarah Bernsteinand Justin Wilkes They are also on board as producers.
Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari It premieres on Netflix on December 16. Check out the trailer below.
