I love Werner Herzog. His films may not always be great but they are consistently singular and intriguing.
Here is the transcript of a speech he presented in Milano, Italy. The preamble makes it clear these remarks were, in large measure, extemporaneous…which makes the cogency and beauty of the speech all the more impressive.
Have you read his film diary of the making of “Fitzcarraldo”? Conquest of the Useless is the best book, fiction or non-fiction, I’ve read in the past two or three years. If you don’t already own a copy, film fan, for God’s sake what are you waiting for?
(My thanks for the indefatigable Gord Ames for sending me the link to Herzog’s speech and lots of other great stuff over the last couple of years.)
Cliff, seeing as though you have provided me with some very good film recommendations in the past, what Werner Herzog films would you suggest that I watch?
“Aguirre, Wrath of God” is (for me) his masterwork, that’s definitely one to watch. “Fitzcarraldo” is interesting but overlong. “Enigma of Kaspar Hauser”, “Stroszek”, “Nosferatu” are impressive for varying reasons. And, of course, there are the documentaries, “Grizzly Man” and “Encounters at the End of the World”. Give those ones a shot and if they work for you, seek out other flicks from his decidedly odd oeuvre.