The White Diamond (2004)

Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo) follows enigmatic airship engineer Dr. Graham Dorrington as he embarks on a trip in the heart of Guyana to test his new helium-filled invention above the rainforest. Dubbed the white diamond on account of its unique teardrop shape, the expedition begins with some early mishaps but is soon airborne high above the treetops. With every success though, Dorrington is haunted by a similar expedition twelve years ago that killed his friend as they were testing an airship much like the white diamond. Herzog magnificently captures Dorrington’s struggles to atone for what he calls “a stupid, meaningless accident” while at the same time presenting stunning never-before-seen images of the true beauty of nature as they follow the airship into the Lost World of the pristine rain forest of this little explored area of the world, to record and tell this unique story in an extraordinary, feature-documentary film.