Where Heaven Meets Hell

2013
1h 20m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Where Heaven Meets Hell follows four of the nearly 500 sulfur miners working at Kawah Ijen, an active volcano in Indonesia. This intimate portrait chronicles their attempts to escape the end... Read allWhere Heaven Meets Hell follows four of the nearly 500 sulfur miners working at Kawah Ijen, an active volcano in Indonesia. This intimate portrait chronicles their attempts to escape the endemic poverty and lack of education that haunts their community. Drawing strength from thei... Read allWhere Heaven Meets Hell follows four of the nearly 500 sulfur miners working at Kawah Ijen, an active volcano in Indonesia. This intimate portrait chronicles their attempts to escape the endemic poverty and lack of education that haunts their community. Drawing strength from their families and their Muslim faith, the miners search for meaning in their daily struggles ... Read all

Director
- Sasha Friedlander

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Sasha Friedlander

1User review

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 1 nomination total

Photos

User reviews1

6.819

Featured reviews

3tonyw-21

Where Heaven Meets Hell lacks narrative, & dramatic tension

I saw Friedlander's film @ Hot Docs. The best I can say is the cinematography is delightful. The film is shot in a national park, and the stunning natural beauty contrasts sharply with the poisonous yellow sulphur rocks and acrid smoke.

The problem is there is no story line! Does Anton escape the excruciating physical labour and pursue higher education? Or, is this his destiny? We never do find out! The culprit, or so it seems, is the mine owner (whom we meet) who employs these young independent miners performing perilous work. But Fridlander's film steers clear of dramatic tension by focusing on their prayers and unmet aspirations.

Indonesia is a populous, complex country with abundant natural resources waiting to be exploited. Where Heaven Meets Hell introduces audiences to its beauty, but fails to deliver on the resolution of its many contradictions.