Werner Herzog, the acclaimed German film director, screenwriter, and actor, has gifted us with insightful quotes that encapsulate his unique worldview. These Werner Herzog quotes span a vast range of topics from filmmaking techniques to his intriguing relationship with actor Klaus Kinski.
Let’s delve into the world of some memorable Werner Herzog quotes:
- Werner Herzog’s Prolific Quotes: An array of profound expressions from Herzog on life, art and human nature.
- Insights on Film and Filmmaking: Herzog’s commentary on the craft that he has mastered over decades.
- Herzog’s Perspective on Contemporary Documentaries: His unique perspective on modern documentary filmmaking.
- Working Relationship with Klaus Kinski: Reflections on his turbulent yet fruitful professional bond with Kinski.
- Kinski’s Views on Herzog: Explore insights into Kinski’s opinions about Herzog.
- Unique Incidences such as ‘Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe’: A humorous look at some of the idiosyncratic incidents in Herzog’s life.
- A Look at ‘Burden of Dreams’ (1982): Some valuable quotes from one of Herzog’s most iconic films.
- An Examination of Herzog’s ‘Minnesota Declaration’: A deep-dive into Herzog’s famous written work discussing truth in cinema.
The gems found within these Werner Herzog quotes offer us a remarkable glimpse into the mind of this visionary filmmaker.
A Deep Dive Into Werner Herzog Quotes
Navigating through these quotes, we experience Herzog’s singular outlook on filmmaking and life.
His professional relationship with Klaus Kinski, despite its controversies, was a pivotal part of his career.
Unique incidents like ‘Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe’ add a touch of eccentricity to his already fascinating character.
‘Minnesota Declaration’ presents Herzog’s own truth in an era of ‘Cinema Verité’.
Werner Herzog’s Prolific Quotes
Known for his piercing insights, Werner Herzog’s quotes reflect a unique perspective. His belief that the universe is defined by chaos rather than harmony showcases his unflinching realism.
He regards filmmaking not as an art of scholars but an exploration for illiterates, emphasizing the inherent rawness in it. Herzog also takes things literally, with irony often eluding him.
- On Dreams: “My belief is that all these dreams are yours as well. I can articulate them.”
- Film Enthusiasm: “If you truly love film, ignore books on the subject. Enjoy glossy magazines and gossip columns instead.”
- The Art of Storytelling: “…We have to articulate ourselves, otherwise we would be cows in the field.”
Herzog encourages people to articulate their thoughts and ideas, lest they become stagnant and unrefined. He also opines on the importance of images in our civilization and warns of a potential doom if we fail to create adequate ones.
The filmmaker’s honesty extends into his personal world. Expressing indifference towards happiness, he claims he isn’t made for it. Instead, Herzog equates himself more to a craftsman than an artist.
His unconventional wisdom even covers academia, which he labels as the death of cinema because it snuffs out passion. He also ruefully admits running out of fantasy and deems public opinion as sacrosanct.
Insights on Film and Film-making
The art of filmmaking, in its essence, is a blend of technical skills, contributions from various arts, and an ability to evoke emotion.
This complex form of mass media has the ability to convey stories in a remarkably effective way.
The magic of film, due to persistence of vision, creates an illusion of continuous motion which captivates audiences worldwide.
- The hypnotic illusion holds the viewers’ attention and may even lower critical resistance.
- The accuracy of film holds compelling due to a nonhuman, scientific process of filmmaking.
- The strong sense of presence given by the motion picture always appears to be in the present tense.
- The concrete nature of film gives the perception that actual people and objects are shown.
Films have a fascinating power to temporarily transport viewers into different worlds unfolded before them.
However, audience escape into the world of films is rarely complete. A subtle distinction is maintained between the reality on screen and the real world.
Though special effects may occasionally elicit real-world responses from the audience, such effects are considered a relatively low form of cinematic arts.
The audience often expects films to adhere to unwritten conventions rather than mirroring the real world completely.
Often, they seek an escape from reality and an exercise for their imagination through motion pictures. This aligns with demands made by great works of art in all forms.
A successful film relies more on evoking emotional responses than faithfully reproducing details. For this purpose, storytelling codes and visual signs are frequently employed.
The innate characteristics of the motion-picture medium are broadly categorized into ones pertaining to the image, ones unique to the art form, and ones derived from the viewing experience. You can read more about this complex art form here in this article.
Herzog’s Perspective on Contemporary Documentaries
Werner Herzog, a prominent director in both narrative and documentary genres, encourages mind expansion. His unique gaze and wisdom make him a global treasure.
Herzog, unlike some of his contemporaries, is not an avid movie watcher. He reveals to The Guardian, “I see about three films per year.”
- Not all Documentaries: Despite his limited viewing, he does have suggestions for must-watch films.
- ‘Issue Films’: Herzog criticizes contemporary documentaries for their inability to separate the medium from journalism and their focus on social problems with redemptive endings.
- Aspiration to Realism: Herzog dismisses the claim of ‘vérité’ or ‘truth’ in films aspiring to realism.
Herzog’s recommended films can help broaden one’s perspective on what documentaries should be. These include:
- ‘The Act of Killing’: A captivating look at war crimes with Herzog-like elements.
- ‘The Mad Masters’: A must-watch documentary on workers in Ghana shot with a hand-crank camera, providing an intimate experience.
- ‘The Sorrow and the Pity’: An introspective journey tracking the idea of resistance in France over four hours.
- ‘Vernon, Florida’: A film admired by Herzog for its authentic portrayal of locals through simple conversations.
These suggestions serve as a useful resource for anyone seeking to understand Herzog’s perspective on documentaries that are more than just ‘issue films.’
Working Relationship with Klaus Kinski
Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski formed a partnership of striking paradoxes, marked by profound respect and intense conflict. Their tumultuous relationship spanned over fifteen years, producing five influential films.
Known for his volatile personality, Kinski often clashed with Herzog, leading to scenarios such as the infamous incident on the set of “Aguirre, The Wrath of God.”
- Collaborative films: The duo worked together on five notable films including “Aguirre, The Wrath of God,” “Nosferatu the Vampyre,” “Woyzeck,” “Fitzcarraldo,” and “Cobra Verde”.
- Intensity on set: Fierce arguments often arose, fueled by Kinski’s erratic behavior. One incident almost led Herzog to commit a drastic act when Kinski threatened to abandon the film.
- Mental health struggles: Kinski’s antisocial personality disorder diagnosis complicated their working relationship and brought additional challenges on set.
Kinski’s dedication to his craft was unwavering. Despite his volatile behavior, he would practice his lines tirelessly, expressing his emotions with an intensity that some found disturbing.
Their personal conflicts often spilled over onto the set. Yet, amidst this volatile atmosphere, they produced some of cinema’s most memorable creations. Their relationship ended with the production of “Cobra Verde” in 1987.
In 1999, Herzog released a documentary titled “My Best Fiend” reflecting on their intense yet creative relationship, marking a poignant end to their partnership.
Kinski’s Views on Herzog
Werner Herzog’s documentary “My Best Fiend” (1999) provides an in-depth examination into his rocky yet fruitful relationship with Klaus Kinski.
The film blends Herzog’s perspective with glimpses into Kinski’s behavior, creating a complex picture of their interactions.
Kinski once claimed Herzog used a gun to back up a threat during the filming of “Aguirre, the Wrath of God”. Herzog refutes this.
Herzog recounts a moment where Kinski intended to abandon “Aguirre”, leading to Herzog threatening to kill both Kinski and himself. This threat, alleges Herzog, kept Kinski on set.
It is crucial to note that these accounts mainly come from Herzog. Direct information about Kinski’s thoughts on Herzog is rare.
The frequent intense confrontations between them indicate a challenging and intricate relationship.
Kinski, as portrayed by Herzog and shown in “My Best Fiend”, was a volatile individual who often clashed with Herzog’s directing style and personality.
While their relationship was marked by mutual respect for each other’s skills, it was also filled with rivalry and aggression.
Kinski’s own words are often overshadowed by Herzog’s dominant narrative. However, their joint work and “My Best Fiend” give insight into the complex dynamics between them.
For more details, check out The New York Times review of ‘My Best Fiend’.
Unique Incidences: Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe
Werner Herzog, the famed German filmmaker, wagered with Errol Morris, another filmmaker, during the late ’70s. The peculiar promise entailed Herzog eating his shoe if Morris managed to finish his first documentary, “Gates of Heaven”.
The film examined a pet cemetery and was eventually released in 1978.
A Show of Solidarity
This drove Herzog to keep his word. In a nod to independent film and its creators, Herzog chose a public stage: the premiere of “Gates of Heaven” in 1979.
Chef Alice Waters from Chez Panisse, Berkeley, California aided in making the shoe palatable. It was boiled in duck fat, garnished with garlic, rosemary, onions and Tabasco sauce.
The Aftermath
However, this cooking method unexpectedly toughened the leather. The remarkable event was immortalized in a short documentary dubbed “Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe”.
The film highlighted Herzog’s support for Morris and his commitment to overcoming creative obstacles. This unusual incident served as a motivator for budding filmmakers to continue their projects regardless of hurdles.
The Meaning Behind The Gesture
Herzog encouraged those who were nervous about starting or lacked courage in filmmaking. His actions underscored the challenges and perseverance that filming demands.
Herzog’s gesture stands as an inspiration for others to take risks and persist in their creative endeavors.“Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe” is available on various platforms for those seeking inspiration in filmmaking.
Deep Dive Into ‘Burden of Dreams’ (1982)
“Burden of Dreams” is a documentary that delves deeper into Herzog’s film-making process than simply the technicalities.
The film captures a vivid image of Herzog’s relentless drive.
Passion and Obsession
The storyline isn’t just about filming in the Amazon wilderness, it’s about an obsession. Herzog is portrayed as a man possessed by his vision.
The struggle to bring this vision to life becomes an epic tale of fighting against nature and human limitations.
An Unusual Documentary
‘Burden of Dreams’ stands out because it provides rare insight into the filmmaker’s mind. It highlights Herzog’s fiery passion, his dedication, and stubbornness in equal measure.
It even shows him questioning his own sanity during the arduous filming process.
The Power of Human Imagination
By showing the grueling process of hauling a 300-ton steamboat up a hillside, Herzog demonstrates the lengths people will go to for their ideas.
The film thus becomes a testament not just to artistic resilience, but also to the enduring power of human imagination.
Roger Ebert’s review echoes similar sentiments as he awards “Burden of Dreams” a perfect score.
A Look at Herzog’s ‘Minnesota Declaration’
Werner Herzog’s bold ‘Minnesota Declaration’ is a crucial critique of Cinema Verité, claiming its inability to portray deeper truths.
He believes it only scratches the surface, giving an accountants’ truth rather than emotional or psychological depths.
For Herzog, this form of cinema often confuses facts with truth, resulting in narratives that lack illumination.
He suggests that truth in cinema requires more than honesty; it requires fabrication and imagination, capturing elusive poetic and ecstatic truths.
Filmmakers of Cinema Verité resemble tourists who take pictures of ancient ruins of facts.
Herzog implies that the filmmakers do not grasp the essence of their subjects, just as tourists only capture superficial aspects of historic sites.
Conversely, he likens his style of filmmaking to foot travel—a careful exploration which leads us towards virtue and deeper understanding.
The ‘Minnesota Declaration’ serves as a stirring critique and manifesto for Herzog’s cinematic philosophy.
If you want to delve deeper into his unique perspective, you can find his full lecture at the Walker Art Center.
In the end, Herzog’s art embodies a search for unusual truths that lie beneath observable reality, much like a miner seeking precious gems buried deep within the earth.
Herzog’s Inspiring Teachings
Werner Herzog’s quotes and wisdom provide a profound exploration of human nature, our place in the universe, and the power of storytelling. His philosophical musings, coupled with his unique cinematic perspective, offer invaluable insights for filmmakers, artists, and all those seeking deeper understanding. A journey through his words is an enlightening experience in itself.