The first third of the film reads as a straight documentary of a world changing event. This section has 13 shots accompanied by explosion sounds, which are intensified by the rocking of the footage as the sound wave hits the camera positions. As this section continues, it begins to feel less like scientific data and more like savage pornography. In the second third, music is introduced which transforms some of the previously used footage into a pastoral meditation, which then becomes a delightfully carefree mood. In the finale, there are tighter shots of the mushroom cloud formation and other clouds that spring up from the vapor of the event, which are crossfaded together at times over the continuing music which has become revelatory, as of a sunset. An intelligent and instinctual take on one of the key moments in human history.
Review of Crossroads
