The Salt of the Earth (2014) is a biographical documentary directed by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado that chronicles the life and work of Sebastião Salgado, a renowned Brazilian photographer. The film spans four decades of Salgado’s career, showcasing his powerful black-and-white images that capture humanity’s struggles, including international conflicts, famine, and displacement, as well as the beauty of pristine natural landscapes and indigenous communities.
The documentary highlights Salgado’s journey from an economist to a full-time photographer, his extensive travels across continents, and his emotional response to the suffering he documented, which led him to undertake a project to restore his family’s land in Brazil through reforestation. The film also features personal reflections from his son Juliano, who co-directed the film and accompanied him on his later trips.
The Salt of the Earth was critically acclaimed, winning the Special Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, the Audience Awards at the San Sebastián and Tromsø International Film Festivals, and Best Documentary at the César Awards. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
The film is praised for its stunning cinematography, emotional depth, and its tribute to Salgado’s empathy and humanism in portraying both the harsh realities and beauty of the world
Overview
The Salt of the Earth (2014) is a deeply moving documentary that offers a compelling portrait of world-renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, whose life and work spanned continents and decades, capturing some of the most intimate, painful, and beautiful moments of humanity and nature.
Co-directed by legendary German filmmaker Wim Wenders and Sebastião’s son, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, the film offers a unique dual perspective—one of artistic admiration and one of familial understanding.
Story & Themes
Through powerful black-and-white photography and personal narrative, the film traces Salgado’s journey from his early projects documenting famine, war, and displacement in Africa to his later environmental work focused on conservation and regeneration.
The documentary is divided into thematic chapters:
Genesis – his inspiring series of photographs celebrating the unexplored corners of the Earth
Workers – the dignity and resilience of manual labo Migrations – the struggles of people displaced by conflict and poverty
Wenders and Salgado Jr. skillfully combine Salgado’s photography with cinematic storytelling, creating a visual and emotional experience that speaks volumes about the suffering, hope, and fragility of our planet.
