roy skillicorn
After Jeffrey came back from his first shooting with the "CaveDigger", I knew he was on to something. The character of Ra and his artistic obsessions, the unique perspectives of the work and of Ra from the people with whom he interacts, and the true grit of the environment in which he works are all captured exquisitely and completely in a way that only a director who is a true artist himself, could. Jeffrey Karoff puts people at ease as he rolls the camera as if it was always part of the natural milieu, thus capturing the subjects basic humanness. He guides them on a path to the unknown that eventually unfolds into a story that was always there but until then, hidden. That is Jeffrey's gift. Bravo. Encore.
ikoslow-902-728247
Jeffrey Karoff has created a deep, rich exploration of a man who creates wondrous spaces dug out of the sides of mountains. The title is just a teaser as to the reality of his projects. Cave is defined as:noun 1. a hollow in the earth, especially one opening more or less horizontally into a hill, mountain, etc.Thus one thinks of something completely different than the brightly lit living spaces created by this artist. Not only does Karoff show the creation of the caves, but digs into the life of the artist and shows his personal and business relationships as well, All this done with a light touch, that leaves the documentarian completely in the background without distraction from the main focus. Words are inadequate to describe this piece and you must see it to get the full impact of the enormity of this artist's work. Thumbs up!
jyathome
At first blush, this film appears to be about an obsessive artist. The idiosyncrasy of his art (carving Gaudi-like chambers below the parched New Mexico desert) makes the subject matter seem even more obscure, even as you're drawn to its eerie beauty. But, like all the best documentaries, this movie is about much more. The stark land has drawn a cast of characters, each of whom is pursuing their life according to their own rules. These are not desert rats or misfits; you will likely recognize them as your more cerebrally- and spiritually-inclined neighbors. The director, Jeffrey Karoff, lets them describe the contours of their lives and interactions without the kind of editorial judgment too often imposed on arcane material like this. As a result, the viewer comes away with a gratifying bit of dislocation, seeing enigmatic depths to what at first seemed familiar territory. Ra Paulette's sprawling "caves" (an inadequate descriptor) become a metaphor for his own life and for the community that surrounds him: a strange and immersive experience, driven by dreams, hidden away in a sun-blasted vastness.
schultz-29
A small movie with an enormous heart. A fantastic journey of one artist's singular talent and how he confronts the world to pursue it. Is the ultimate goal in art to gain recognition, fame and fortune or is it simply the opportunity to create one's interpretation no matter what the toll? Cavedigger is a breathtaking meditation on the struggle of one artist to define his own goals within the context of his life. The cave creations are jaw dropping themselves but it's the man behind them that will give each audience member pause in reflection of one's own life choices. Jeffrey Karoff has presented an unflinching portrait of what it takes realize your dreams.
AD
