Dark Star: HR Gigers Welt

Well, as I sat down in 2021 to watch the 2014 documentary / biography about HR Giger for the first time, I must admit that I was expecting a bit more than what this documentary actually managed to deliver.

Now, it should be said that the words documentary and biography should be taken very lightly when you sit down to watch the 2014 "Dark Star: HR Gigers Welt".

It felt more of a reality TV episode of some kind where you follow a famous person around for a day, than it did as an enlightening and informational documentary.

This 2014 documentary offers some insight into the early life of the artist and a bit into whom he was, but it was hardly a fulfilling documentary for me, and I must admit that I was not particularly thrilled or entertained by what was being shown and told.

While I definitely enjoyed the artwork of HR Giger, then this documentary hardly does the man much of any justice. Especially not if you are interested in knowing more about his work, the man himself, and such. But hey, if you want to follow a former artist around for a day or two, then this is the stuff for you.

I am rating "Dark Star: HR Gigers Welt" a three out of ten stars, as the documentary failed to deliver something wholesome for me.

'DARK STAR: H.R. GIGER'S WORLD': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A documentary film exploring the life, and work, of the popular Swiss painter, sculptor and set designer (known as) H.R. Giger. The film focuses on Giger, at the age of 74, when his health was severely deteriorating. It was written and directed by Belinda Sallin, in her feature film debut, and it contains multiple interviews with Giger, as well as his friends and work associates. I found the movie to be extremely slow-paced, even boring (at times), but still, definitely, visually pleasing (like the majority of Giger's work).

The movie takes place in the last days of Giger's life, shortly before he died (on May 12, 2014). The filmmaker interviews Giger, and follows him around, watching him slowly do day-to-day things. Sallin also interviews Giger's wife, and multiple co-workers, and friends of his, as well. A lot of the visuals are filled with Giger's beautiful art.

The film, like I said, is really slow paced, to a somewhat painful extent; I found my thoughts drifting (a lot)! It is interesting, getting to know Giger, if only just a little, in his final days of life. It's also cool to see that he was a 'cat person', like me! I can never really get tired of looking at his fascinating art, too; but I wish there would have been more time spent on 'ALIEN', or 'SPECIES'. Although I was bored, I'm sure obsessive fans of his will be more than pleased.

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Instead of being a joyous celebration of the life and artwork of H.R. Giger, the man who (in 1979) had created "Alien" (SyFy's most hideously awesome monster of all)..... "Dark Star" was truly a sad, pathetic, and oppressively suffocating film documenting the final year of Giger's life as he was obviously deteriorating both physically and, especially, mentally.

It was almost horrifying to see that Giger had become so utterly consumed (in an unbalanced way) by his own artwork and that the stifling interior of his home in Switzerland represented that of the inside of a decrepit crypt of a hording pack-rat.

Yes. I do fully respect Giger as being the gifted illustrator who created "Alien" - But this documentary's uncomfortable ambiance gave me the creeps. From start to finish - It had squalor, oppressiveness, and death clearly written all over it.

And, with that - I totally resent director, Belinda Sallin for presenting Giger in the disrespectful way that she did (as a doddering, old kook) in this truly repulsive presentation.

*Note* - In 2014 - Hans Rudolf Giger (70 at the time) died from a fall sustained in the hospital.

IMO - "Dark Star" was a pretty bleak and grim look at artist, H.R. Giger's life who (at the time of this production) was clearly approaching his death with both his physical and mental health deteriorating at a rapid pace.

When "Dark Star" wasn't focusing in on Giger's overall declining state of health, it, at least, did invite the viewer to take a brief glimpse at some examples of his more notable artistic accomplishments.

I wouldn't consider myself a rabid fan of Gigers work, I don't have anything besides the Alien movies and a poster packed away somewhere to show my love of Giger. That being said you can't deny the genius that is Giger and this documentary had everything I could hope to see from the man and his small crew of loyal followers. In Dark Star the filmmakers give us more than just a peek at Gigers expansive often discussed home. Giger is a gentle man, a quiet and humble eccentric who puts you through a range of emotions in his amazing yet sometimes tragic life. Everything Giger owns and has surrounded himself with has his biomechanical signature on it. I'm very happy Dark star was completed while Giger was still alive I don't think anything can beat seeing his life through his eyes. Absolutely fascinating from start to finish, get lost in the disorienting Nightmare Labyrinth of this genius.