Chase volcanoes in “Fire of Love”

Our lives are just a blink compared to the life of a volcano.

“Fire of Love” was presented Monday morning at the Trustees Theater as part of the SCAD series, “Docs to Watch.” The documentary follows two fearless volcanologists, Maurice and Katia Kraff, who spent two decades traveling the world doing what they loved most: chasing volcanic eruptions by each other’s side. Unfortunately, on June 3 of 1991, the couple would reach their unfortunate deaths at the top of Japan’s Mount Unzen amidst an eruption.

However, the documentary didn’t focus on the death of these phenomenal individuals. Instead, director Sara Dosa captured their lives and the whimsical excitement the couple had for their unusual careers. The documentary incorporates phenomenal visuals, vintage photos and footage taken straight from Maurice and Katia Krafft’s cameras, as well as beautiful animation of undocumented events.

Overall, the documentary feels like science fiction. Two lovers in what looks to be vintage astronaut suits climb through magma as if on a foreign planet.

“It’s no more dangerous than walking down a road in Belgium,” said Maurice.

The Kraffts spent their lives educating the public on the beauty of volcanoes. The couple decided that kids were off the table for them, it was only to be “Volcanoes, volcanoes, volcanoes.” They even honeymooned on the volcanic island of Santorini.

Although the couple shared this love for volcanoes, Dosa took the time to represent them as individuals as well. Katia was described as detail-oriented. She captured still photos on her camera and wrote books on their discoveries, whereas Maurice was described as a man who saw the grand picture, he captured every moment on film, hoping not to miss anything. Even moments such as riding horses across volcanic land as if they were bandits in a western film.

I hope the Kraffts rest easy knowing Dosa has beautifully captured their essence in celebration of their lives.