OVID.tv Presents AFRICAN AIR Film Review — Aerial Photography Like Never Before

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Read prior years’ reviews as well—all films still available on OVID.tv— along with an interview with OVID.tv Director Jonathan Miller here.

The rise and fall of vast golden sand dunes echo across the screen, while a group of microscopic travelers gallivanting through the desert interrupts this earthly pattern. A gentle transition guides the viewer to a new aerial shot of a herd of bison rushing across an endless meadow, as the sun’s warmth glazes over each individual blade of grass. Meanwhile, a grand orchestra of invigorating music surrounds us, building a sense of suspense, further engulfing us into the lush and varied African landscapes being presented. After a photograph of elephants roaming through deep marshlands where only a sliver of the cerulean horizon is revealed, the music lowers delicately and the voice of photographer George Steinmetz begins to explain his work photographing Africa from a flying motorized paraglider.

In the documentary African Air directed by Brian Storm, Steinmetz exhibits his unique photographic process alongside his passion for capturing the great diversity of culture and terrain within Africa. From Steinmetz’s words throughout the film, we learn that adventuring from the wilderness of the Congo rainforest to the snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg mountain range, Steinmetz began photographing Africa all the way back in 1979 where he immediately “fell in love with the place.”

The spirit of Africa orchestrated a beating rhythm in Steinmetz's heart —the people, the land, the atmosphere. These building blocks of Africa created an overpowering  symphony that pulled Steinmetz in, he recounts, and has held him tightly captivated ever since. Developing this overarching appreciation and connection with Africa quickly led to Steinmetz taking the initiative to start his ongoing photographic project that eventually inspired the creation of African Air.

OVID.tv’s AFRICAN AIR Takes Flight

The film’s narrator asserts that while many photographers backpack through Africa to take in the wondrous atmosphere of a continent so contrasting to their homeland, Steinmetz’s photographs of Africa easily stand out from all others because of the fact that he captures aerial images from a motorized paraglider. As the low hum of the motor strapped behind him begins to sound, Steinmetz explains how he must quickly begin running in order to takeoff in the launching paraglider from which he will photograph the blur of the various landscapes underneath.

Meanwhile, Steinmetz speaks to the glories of the world that the majority of people will never get to see. He shares that the grand kaleidoscope of environments within Africa not only left him in awe, but also stirred up concern within him for the future of these natural splendors as globalization gradually takes the continent by storm. Yet, Steinmetz expands on his optimistic approach and belief that there is value in teaching people the importance of conserving their environment and natural resources “I’m just trying to record the beauty that I see there and hope that people can respond to that,” Steinmetz explains.

African Air, in this author’s opinion, is a documentary with the potential to attract a wide variety of audiences. Whether one is interested in photography, Africa, or even the effects of globalization, there are plenty of appeals that make this eye-opening film worth watching for any viewer.  Those looking for an exploration of the colonization of Africa or other subjects touched on very briefly in African Air may want to supplement this film with others that are more in-depth.

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Creative Team:

Director - Brian Storm

Photographer - George Steinmetz

Producers - Brian Storm, Bob Sacha, Megan Lange, Tim Matsui, Juliette Lynch, Tim McLaughlin

Graphics - Jacky Myint

Production Assistance - Jessica Licciardello

Aerial Video - Alain Arnoux, François Lagarde

To view the film, visit the OVID.tv page for AFRICAN AIR.

Images courtesy of OVID.tv