Fresh Air
Werner Herzog Isn't The 'Wild Guy' You Think He Is
Dec 6, 2024
Renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog shares insights from his memoir, 'Every Man for Himself and God Against All'. He highlights the importance of discipline over wildness in his creative process, debunking myths about his personality. Herzog reflects on personal experiences from post-World War II Germany and discusses the tension between creativity and madness while directing intense actors. With anecdotes that reveal his calm demeanor in crises, he emphasizes the role of memory and curiosity in shaping his unique storytelling approach.
44:47
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Quick takeaways
- Werner Herzog emphasizes the importance of discipline in filmmaking, countering the stereotype of being a reckless or wild artist.
- His upbringing and experiences during World War II significantly shaped his curiosity and approach towards exploring extreme human narratives.
Deep dives
Exploration of Extreme Storytelling
Werner Herzog discusses his distinctive approach to storytelling, often focusing on extreme characters and situations. He emphasizes the metaphorical aspects of his films, such as the challenge of dragging a ship over a mountain, which reflects deeper themes of ambition and human resilience. Herzog argues that while he does not actively seek out danger, exploring limits is integral to understanding human nature and storytelling. His body of work, featuring memorable films like Aguirre, The Wrath of God and Fitzcarraldo, aims to reveal the complex layers of human experience through extreme narratives.
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