Watch Cave Digger

Cave Digger is a documentary from 2013 that tells the story of New Mexico artist Ra Paulette, who has spent the past 25 years using only hand tools to carve intricate and massive sculptural caves into sandstone cliffs. The film is directed by Jeffrey Karoff and produced by Susan Margolin and Edgar Barens. The movie begins by showing stunning aerial shots of the New Mexico desert, and quickly introduces the audience to Ra Paulette, a man who seems to be on a mission to create his own underground utopia. Paulette's passion for sculpting caves is evident from the moment he starts discussing his work. He speaks eloquently about his inspiration and the challenges he faces while working, both physical and mental.

The movie follows Ra Paulette as he works on his most ambitious project yet, a massive cave that he has been working on for more than two years. Paulette is a perfectionist and is famously difficult to work with, often insisting on working alone even when he has hired assistants to help him with the heavy lifting. As he works, he explains the different techniques he uses to carve his caves, from chiseling away at the rock to sanding it down with an orbital sander.

As Paulette works, the movie intercuts footage of other people who are impacted by his art. We see tourists who are blown away by the beauty of his creations, as well as the caretakers of the land who are responsible for preserving it. One of the most poignant moments in the film is when we hear from the woman who owns the land where Paulette has been working. She expresses concern about what will happen to the caves once Paulette is finished with them, and whether they will be destroyed or preserved for future generations.

The movie also explores the relationship between art and nature, and how Paulette's work fits into the landscape around it. Some argue that his caves are scars on the environment, while others see them as stunning works of art that are a part of the natural world. The film doesn't take a stance one way or the other, but rather leaves it up to the audience to decide.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the way it delves into the mind of Ra Paulette. He is a complex and enigmatic figure, and the movie does a great job of letting him speak for himself. He talks about his drive to create, his struggles with depression, and his belief in the transformative power of art. He is clearly a deeply passionate person, and the audience can't help but be drawn in by his charisma.

In addition to Ra Paulette, the movie also introduces us to some of the people who have worked with him over the years. We meet Pierre Delattre, a Frenchman who has been working with Paulette for nearly a decade, and Suzanne Eliel, an art historian who has written extensively about Paulette's work. Both of these individuals provide valuable insight into Paulette's process and how he has evolved over the years.

Overall, Cave Digger is a beautifully shot and thought-provoking documentary. It raises important questions about the intersection of art and nature, and about the role that artists play in shaping the world around them. At its heart, though, it is a film about one man's unwavering commitment to his art, and his determination to create something truly remarkable.

Cave Digger is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.