Chott el-Djerid (A Portrait in Light and Heat) (1979)

Driven by a quest to capture a landscape reduced to flatness and sky, Viola travels to Chott El-Djerid. The film opens with images of snowy prairies and winter scenes, mirrored by warm, vibrating desert vistas. Through powerful telephoto lenses, shimmering mirages and warped forms emerge under extreme heat and light. These visuals evoke a space where dream and waking reality merge. Viola’s journey transcends documentation, transforming viewing into a reflective exploration of the limits of perception.

Released

1979-01-01

Genres

Documentary

Runtime

28 min

Status

Released

Directed / written by

Bill Viola, Bill Viola

TMDB rating

6.3/10 from 7 votes