A Crack in the Mountain

Directed by Alastair Evans

Hang Sơn Đoòng, which translates as “mountain river cave”, is located in the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Vietnam. First found in 1990 by a local farmer, it wasn’t explored until 2009 when a British expedition team descended. Many people have described Sơn Đoòng as a lost world. It has its own lake, jungle and even a unique weather system. In 2014 plans were announced to build a cable car into the cave.

With many arguing that this would destroy the delicate eco-system and the local community divided over the benefits this development would bring, the film follows those caught up in the unfolding events.

The film investigates related themes of modern-day exploration, environmental conservation and sustainability, and the perils of operating as an activist in a country such as Vietnam where freedom of speech is severely curtailed.

This film contains flashing images which may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.

Reviews

A poignant documentary tells the paradoxical story of a vast, remote cave

New Scientist

Duration:
100 minutes

Languages:
English and Vietnamese

Subtitles:
Partial English

Country of origin:
USA

Year of production:
2022