There is a 99.8% chance that you or me will never get to see the Chauvet Cave in person.

What’s that, you ask? The Chauvet Cave (French name: Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc Cave) is located in southern France and contain the earliest known cave paintings. The oldest painting in that cave dates back to (probably) 32900 BC! Astounding, right? The cave also contains other vital evidence of Upper Paleolithic life

In light of its contents, it’s no surprise that the cave isn’t open to the general public. But, if you are like and me are fascinated by history/archaeology, you can have a glimpse at those paintings via Werner Herzog’s upcoming documentary, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, a new trailer for which came out today.

Here’s the official plot synopsis -

CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, a breathtaking new 3D documentary from the incomparable Werner Herzog (ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD, GRIZZLY MAN) follows an exclusive expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the most ancient visual art known to have been created by man. A hit at this year’s Toronto Film Festival, CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS is an unforgettable cinematic experience that provides a unique glimpse of pristine artwork dating back to human hands over 30,000 years ago — almost twice as old as any previous discovery.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was quickly picked up for US distribution for by IFC Films, who plan to release it on 29th April 2011. Details about a worldwide release are scarce as of now.

However, I am certainly going to line up to see this one in theaters whenever it does hit our screens. This film could also make a convincing argument for 3D’s artistic value: It could allow the moviegoing audiences to have a visual and sensory experience they could never hope to emulate in real life.

You can see/download the trailer in HD via Apple. Once you see it, head on over to the comments and let me know what you think!

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  • wirelessphil

    I should have checked, it may be at our Cleveland Film fest, if its still going on.

  • wirelessphil

    Nope, don’t know why its not showing in Cleveland? Strange that it isn’t with all the museums we have there. Maybe they don’t think the people of the area are intelligent enough to appreciate it?
    Cleveland International Film Festival :: March 24-April 3, 2011
    http://www.clevelandfilm.org/