Hudson to Show Herzog Documentary ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’

The Hudson Museum at the University of Maine is offering a special showing of the 2010 documentary “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” by acclaimed independent filmmaker Werner Herzog about the discovery of the ancient Chauvet Cave in southern France. The cave contains what are believed to be the oldest human cave drawings ever found.

The film will be shown at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6 in the Hutchins Concert Hall at the Collins Center for the Arts on the UMaine campus. Admission is $6. Tickets will be available at the door or purchased in advance through the CCA box office (581-1755).

Cave of Forgotten Dreams features rare and exclusive film footage of Chauvet Cave of southern France. The cave reveals some of the earliest pictorial creations of humankind, dating perhaps 32,000 years ago. Images of horses, cave bears and lions, in addition to mammoths and human handprints, grace the limestone walls. Animal bones and skulls litter the cave’s floor.

The French government closed the site to the public almost immediately after its discovery in 1994 to protect the unique characteristics inside the cave. Security personnel, sophisticated cameras and motion detectors now guard the entryway. Herzog’s documentary film allows the public its only opportunity to see this extraordinary and astonishing site.

Hudson Museum Director Gretchen Faulkner selected the film as the Hudson Museum’s program for Maine Archaeology Month, which is observed each October. The film is one in a series of international and independent films the Collins Center offers on Thursday nights during the academic year.

UMaine archaeologist and anthropology professor Dan Sandweiss, dean and associate provost for graduate studies, will introduce the film. The screening is being arranged by the Hudson Museum and the Collins Center for the Arts.

Contact: Gretchen Faulkner, (207) 581-1904