The Arc of Oblivion

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The Arc of Oblivion

2024

1h 38m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

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17 Reviews

93%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

THE ARC OF OBLIVION explores a quirk of humankind: in a universe that erases its tracks, we humans are hellbent on leaving a trace. Set against the backdrop of the filmmaker's quixotic quest to build an ark in a field in Maine, the film heads far afield -- to salt mines in the Alps, fjords in the Arctic, and ancient libraries in the Sahara -- to illuminate the strange world of archives, record-keeping, and memory. Playfully weaving stop-motion animation, spellbinding cinematography and fascinating interviews from the director's inner circle and experts in the fields of science, culture and art -- including documentarians Werner Herzog and Kirsten Johnson -- THE ARC OF OBLIVION reveals how nature inspires the human drive behind filmmaking.

Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

I love it so much -- it works so beautifully on so many different levels.

Mar 22, 2024

Full Review

Alissa Wilkinson

New York Times

In his attempt to imagine why, and how, we try to preserve memories, Cheney unearths something beautiful: We want to remember not just ourselves, but other people, and that’s what’s behind the efforts.

Feb 15, 2024

Full Review

Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

"Arc of Oblivion" is a documentary about a lot of things, including the futility of its own existence.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 17, 2023

Full Review

Manuel Betancourt

FilmWeek (LAist)

I just love that I never knew where it was exactly going to go.

Mar 22, 2024

Full Review

Morgan Rojas

Cinemacy

'The Arc of Oblivion' playfully explores the human desire for keepsakes amidst an ever-evolving world.

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

Combines investigative journalism, talking head experts, stop-motion animation and revealing self-analysis. It’s as serious as it is playful and ends on a poetic note.

Rated: 3.5 / 5

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

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Nye N.

Pretentious documentary with real rich kid project vibes, and a cringy intro to boot, but it eventually gets into admittedly interesting philosophical and scientific topics. This film likely would have been better in the hands of more likeable people.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/20/25

Full Review

Yeison V

Muy buen comienzo de espectáculo y una obra de arte para comenzar el días gracias por todo muy buen hecho

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

RamÃ³n SÃ¡nchez R

La película es muy interesante te deja intrigado y seducido por una maravillosa edición, puesta en escena con un buen equipo de reparto.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

NicolÃ¡s G

Es una excelente opción muy pero muy recomendado👌🏻

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Jenni J

Es excelente, realmente la recomiendo

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

David M

[Un] trabajo marcado por enfoques lúcidos a cuestiones existenciales sobre la naturaleza finita de la vida humana y nuestros intentos desesperados de extenderla más allá de nuestra esperanza de vida.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

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Ian Cheney

Director

Meredith DeSalazar

Producer

Manette Pottle

Producer

Rebecca Taylor

Producer

Greg Boustead

Executive Producer

Jessica Harrop

Executive Producer

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The Arc of Oblivion: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

THE ARC OF OBLIVION explores a quirk of humankind: in a universe that erases its tracks, we humans are hellbent on leaving a trace. Set against the backdrop of the filmmaker's quixotic quest to build an ark in a field in Maine, the film heads far afield -- to salt mines in the Alps, fjords in the Arctic, and ancient libraries in the Sahara -- to illuminate the strange world of archives, record-keeping, and memory. Playfully weaving stop-motion animation, spellbinding cinematography and fascinating interviews from the director's inner circle and experts in the fields of science, culture and art -- including documentarians Werner Herzog and Kirsten Johnson -- THE ARC OF OBLIVION reveals how nature inspires the human drive behind filmmaking.

Director: Ian Cheney
Producer: Meredith DeSalazar, Manette Pottle, Rebecca Taylor
Distributor: Abramorama
Production Co: Sandbox Films (II)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 38m

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