Sanctuary is a documentary that chronicles the career of former Dead Can Dance vocalist Lisa Gerrard. Gerrard has an exotic, operatic singing style, and she often sings in a made-up language known only to her.

She also has a personality to match her onstage style, and this film is peppered with quotes like, “Sometimes when I sing in concert I contemplate the wing of a bird.” In one segment, while singing standing at the side of an underpass as cars whiz by, Gerrard demonstrates how she feeds off the energy of the vehicles as she would feed off the energy of an audience.

There are a few other snippets of performance here; with Dead Can Dance or working on film soundtracks, but mostly the movie offers insight into what makes Gerrard tick through interviews. Fellow Aussie Russell Crowe has a say, as does Gerrard's ex-band mate in Dead Can Dance, Brendan Perry.

Gerrard's parents even check in with mom saying, “Her job is too stressful! I'd rather see her working at a check-out at the supermarket.” A viewing of Sanctuary is nothing short of spellbinding.

Extras: interview with director Clive Collier, video for “Come Tenderness,” photo gallery, discography and Mali Project promo.

Grade: A