Filmmaker: Werner Herzog

[SecondEdition]

The whole Bad Lieutenant thing just looks like an elaborate parody of Hollywood blockbusters to me. And personally I think that's pretty cool.

[Dr. Ew]

A few years ago, a friend of mine was invited by his professor to attend a post-lecture reception for Werner in Western Massachusetts. My friend sent me an email shortly thereafter.

After the lecture, to my private dismay, a group of 30 or 40 of us went back
to a large fine-dining room on the Amherst campus. We had assigned seating
around several round, white, candlelit tables. The catering was good, and my
tablemates--a UMass communications professor, a Smith professor of German, and a
couple of Amherst students--were perfectly nice. But, Werner Herzog was sitting
right behind me! It was tough to remain interested in my own conversations.

Following the champagne, the chicken and vegetables, the tiramisu and the
espresso, professor Rogowski, who was seated, naturally, with Werner, called us
all to attention for a toast to thank him for coming. We raised our glasses,
and, not long afterwards, started one by one to get the picture that it was time
to go.

Damn. I had been contemplating an evening shooting the shit with Herzog,
asking him what article of my own clothing I would have to eat to work on his
next film. I couldn't just go like this. So, I made a beeline for his table.
Werner was already getting up to leave and chatting in German to another
professor. I waited patiently and, when he was finished, attempted to introduce
myself. "Mr. Herzog," I said, "if I don't at least shake your hand before I go,
my roommates are really going to give me a hard time tonight." As I reached to
shake his hand he looked me in the eyes and said, "I vill eevin geev you a hug."

And with that, Werner embraced me. I was speechless. I said thanks, that was a
real admirer of his work, and, regaining my composure, asked him if he needed a
ride to the airport (I knew he has flying that evening from professor Rogowski)
since I was driving back to Boston. He said, unfortunately, that his flight to
Brazil (to star in Harmony Korine's next film) was out of Hartford. At that point, I remembered that I probably wasn't the only person who wanted to say goodbye to Herr Herzog so I bid him a final farewell.

So, that was it. I would have loved to have gotten a contract to hit the road
with one of my personal filmmaking heroes, but to receive an unprovoked hug from
him instead definitely doesn't place a far-too-distant second.

NOT CRAP

[Daveksvplot]

Haven't gotten around to seeing Encounters at the End of the World yet, but said movie's cinematographer Henry Kaiser recently made a worthwhile video that also features accomplished underwater cinematography. He made some swell music for it too.

You can view the video HERE.

It gets especially interesting at around six and a half minutes.

Heard about this today via musician Erling Wold's Facebook update. (Erling Wold made some lulling soundtracks for a couple of Jon Jost movies...If memory serves me one of them was released on Table of the Elements.)

[tallchris]

Just saw Nosferatu the other night and was totally blown away. Ima watch the German language version tonight.

In a decade of amazing filmmakers, Herzog's 70's work is some of the most consistently great work of that era.

[Cranius]

Haven't gotten around to seeing Encounters at the End of the World yet, but said movie's cinematographer Henry Kaiser recently made a worthwhile video that also features accomplished underwater cinematography. He made some swell music for it too.

You can view the video HERE.

Fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing Wild Blue Yonder, which was inspired by Kaiser's underwater photography. Herzog reckons it his best film, or at least his favourite.

[Daveksvplot]

I've heard Wild Blue Yonder isn't so hot.

As far as I know, Herzog hasn't made a really good fictional film in years, but if Port of Call is a parody, it just might work.

[SecondEdition]

I've heard Wild Blue Yonder isn't so hot.

As far as I know, Herzog hasn't made a really good fictional film in years, but if Port of Call is a parody, it just might work.

What was wrong with the last account, dude?

Agreed about Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call.

[Grauspin]

Watched Grizzly Man again last night. Holy shit I love this movie so much.

[Intense Singer]

Has anyone seen Port of Call yet?

[eephour]

Has anyone seen Port of Call yet?

Yes, loved it.

[Rotten Tanx]

Encounters at the End of the World is on More4 at 10.

[Andrew.]

A friend of mine recently learned she's been accepted to Herzog's first-ever film school class in L.A. She's an independent feminist filmmaker from Halifax. I met her in grad school in Alberta. Anyway, can't wait to here about it all; so, so stoked for her. I was pretty surprised that Herzog liked the overtly feminist short she submitted...

[Marsupialized]

Has anyone seen Port of Call yet?

It's pretty enjoyable

[connor]

Has anyone seen Port of Call yet?

It's pretty enjoyable

My little brother is obsessed with it. I'm gonna wait til it's on bluray just to piss him off.

[Marsupialized]

I loved the movie, was one of the most enjoyable movies I have seen in a long time. Nicholas Cage is actually excellent for the most part.

Fairuza Balk in in it for a total of maybe a minute but she gave me instant raging full on chub with her performance.





Eva Mendes is awesome in it, so is Xzibit.

[Marsupialized]

It's playing tonight at the Music Box at Midnight, I think I'm gonna go see it again.

[SecondEdition]

Fairuza Balk in in it for a total of maybe a minute but she gave me instant raging full on chub with her performance.

alright now I need to see this movie...

[Andrew.]

A friend of mine recently learned she's been accepted to Herzog's first-ever film school class in L.A.

So according to my friend Michelle, who just finished her sessions with Herzog, he refers to people who see Avatar as "Avatards."

[SecondEdition]

That just makes me like Herzog more.

[mattw]

His Bad Lieutenant was totally nutty and actually not too bad. My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done is his latest, but I think it got a really limited release.