Documentary
Canada,United States of America
Fire of Love is a documentary film that tells the story of Katia and Maurice Krafft and their lifelong obsession with volcanoes. The film is directed by Michael Lennick and features interviews with colleagues, friends, and family members of the Kraffts, as well as footage filmed by the Kraffts themselves.
The film begins with the Kraffts' early years, showing how they met and fell in love while studying geology in France. From there, the film follows the couple on their many expeditions around the world, from Iceland to Indonesia to Africa and beyond. We see them conducting experiments, taking measurements, and collecting rock samples, all in the pursuit of a deeper understanding of volcanic activity.
Throughout the film, we also see how the Kraffts' passion for volcanoes increasingly drew the attention of the media and the public. They appeared on television shows and gave interviews to newspapers and magazines, helping to raise awareness about the scientific study of volcanoes.
However, as the Kraffts continued their dangerous work, they also became more aware of the risks involved. They witnessed a number of close calls and narrow escapes, and often spoke openly about the possibility of dying in a volcanic eruption. These fears would eventually be realized in 1991, when they were killed by a pyroclastic flow while filming on Mount Unzen.
Despite the tragic end to their lives, Fire of Love celebrates the Kraffts' contributions to the study of volcanoes and their unbridled passion for the natural world. The film leaves audiences with a deeper appreciation of the beauty and power of this incredible force of nature, and the people who devote their lives to unraveling its mysteries.
