Werner Herzog Is A Poet (And He Knows It)

“I don’t want to talk about my films.” It was quite a proviso, coming from legendary German filmmaker Werner Herzog, at the start of his conversation with Janna Levin at Pioneer Works. Known for producing, writing, and directing more than 60 feature and documentary films, including Nosferatu, Fitzcarraldo, and Grizzly Man, Herzog wanted to focus instead on his long standing writing practice-specifically, his new memoir, Every Man for Himself and God Against All. Long-awaited, the book is as inventive and daring as Herzog is, and tells the story of his epic artistic career in his inimitable voice.
Luckily for everyone, Herzog did end up discussing his films (if only as a means to return to poetry), as well as his childhood of poverty in Germany, the “murderousness” of nature, and surviving against all odds.
This project is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Program in Public Understanding of Science and Technology, bridging the two cultures of science and the arts.
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[@joshhamester]

Werner Herzog is the real article. What a international badass!

[@Puzzle_Dust]

Of walking in ice is why I am here... I think We got like 2 mins about it. Eat my boot

[@Douglas_Rutherford]

Bless Janna, but she didn’t always resonate with Werner’s wavelength, though she got a bit better towards the end.

[@jannalevinastro]

You do realize I can read these comments. Haha. You try interviewing Herzog when he's in that mood...joking! He was wily but wonderful. I had a great time.

[@Douglas_Rutherford]

@@jannalevinastro haha sorry Janna, I didn’t mean to come across as rude or insensitive! I get the impression that’s more or less Werner’s default setting, so he does require a kind of special treatment. Thanks for hosting him; he is a really fascinating guy!

[@minyukova]

There was no one better suited to interview Herzog?