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

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

1979

Documentary

Synopsis

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.

Credits

Director

Bill Viola

Crew

Scott P. Doniger (Associate Editor)

Bill Viola (Creator)

John. J. Godfrey (Editor)

Kira Perov (Production Assistant)

Barbara M. Ravis (Production Coordinator)

Carol Brandenburg (Supervising Producer)