Werner Herzog on Virtual Reality, the Future of Humanity, and Internet Trolls

In this installment of VICE Talks Film, Ben Makuch sits with the legendary German filmmaker and esteemed existential thinker, Werner Herzog to discuss virtual reality, the future of humanity, and trolling the internet community.
His new documentary Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World, Herzog applies his recognizable voice and sense of wonder to the nebulous world of the internet.
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[@jfjvhgsieofl]

Werner Herzog is really one of the only major filmmakers in cinema history who has never strayed from his vision, never compromised. This is still the same man who pulled a boat over a mountain for his film, who hypnotized his entire cast for 'Heart of Glass'. He really is the last of his kind.

[@aemo6996]

Terrence Daugherty he did that?

[@jfjvhgsieofl]

Absolutely. Check out 'Fitzcarraldo', as well as 'Burden of Dreams', a documentary on the making of the film. For 'Heart of Glass', a masterpiece about the end of civilization, a kind of apocalyptic vision, he hypnotized the entire cast to reflect his idea of a society without hope. The DVD has a great commentary by Herzog, Roger Ebert wrote a great review of both films in his Great Movies series, and there are plenty of great articles out there about both films. His entire career is filled with such stories and adventures.

[@rubenskiii]

And also the same man who did a cameo in Parks and Recreation... Truly a magnificent man.

[@GChan129]

4:28 "Of course not!" I laughed so hard.

[@eclipsez0r]

His voice is magical.

[@lawrencejiang6028]

Werner is in a pretty good mood for the interview

[@FirdausIsmail1]

I think he was trolling you when he said he doesn't know what Internet trolls hahaha

[@thomasdeacon9096]

+1

[@XConvergence]

If he doesn't know then it's just the terminology. Werner Herzog is a master of trolling. See interview with a scientist about gay penguins.

[@Olch666]

poor interviewer..

[@andrea8m]

are hahaha

[@MegaZeta]

You wish

[@frankyhardt6026]

finally someone who actually questions that social media madness a bit and has a philosophic approach on the new technologies. Well done Werner!

[@voicetube]

BTW, his voiceover throughout the film REALLY pulls the whole thing together. That unique accent and the lines that he wrote for himself in the film are brilliant! The accent sort of reminds me a little of the great actor, Christoph waltz.

[@simonpantermuller6997]

Herzog is Bavarian and Waltz is Austrian. Austria emerged from Bavaria, so that makes sense :)

[@voicetube]

@@simonpantermuller6997 Cool :-)

[@LucavanGrinsven]

it's incredible how many inconsiderate and stupid comments there are on videos like this. this is one of the best documentary filmmakers alive. get educated.

[@Greendragon420able]

+Schowiest Sleet Cool story bro.

[@Three_Random_Words]

Most here seem to be drug users who are commenting on if Herzog and the interviewer are on drugs. It's Idiocracy. Slobs and others who prefer to look Convict Cool are the majority now.

[@LucavanGrinsven]

word.

[@Claytonlamm]

We're not raised, as a singular culture and many seem to keep putting our elders on lower and lower pegs of the social ladder. I mourn for us as a generation.

[@AlesPickar]

I agree with every word of your statement.

[@liverpools]

Sad to see him wasting his time with a reddit user level interviewer.

[@golu_badbola]

Top Kek

[@timeweston]

Phew. I'm not insane

[@JohnDoe-hr8gb]

That's a very elithest mindset to have.

[@VonSeux]

bulls**t

[@liverpools]

Iths ith?

[@voicetube]

I just saw a special screening of this last night and it was terrific!

[@Shagohod91]

great interview, i could listen to this guy for hours ^^

[@Tracydot3]

I love Werner Herzog. This was a terrible interview filled with stupid questions. Instead of picking random hipsters with tattoos, how about getting someone who knows something about film and art so they ask better questions? Most of this guy's questions could easily be answered with a google search. "What is your film about?" This is the first question you ask Werner Herzog? Fool!

[@Woozz93]

The questions are made for the public of this channel. How many people here even know Herzog, who has seen Aguirre or Fitzcarraldo here? You can't expect everyone to be super into movies and know everything about him, Vice YT channel is not a specialized media about films.

[@UnknownUser-nz3io]

I agree, the interviewer was clearly not up to the task and seemed almost completely unfamiliar with Herzog. Noticed you're in BKK, me too, will check out your channel.

[@Stoney-Jacksman]

most random hipsters with tats nowadays are nerds.

[@Tracydot3]

***** All the more reason why you need someone who knows films so they can inform people. No one learned anything about who Werner Herzog is from this terrible interview. You don't have to be a crazy film buff to watch Vice but in order to get a job interviewing the greatest filmmakers of all time, you should know something about movies and about how to interview someone. A lot of people possess this skill but not the douche in this video.

[@Kataxu]

Do not place men and women on a pedestal.

[@danielgreen2788]

a legend, respect

[@MANIAKRA]

I love the rhythm and cadence of his voice!

[@euphorricc4008]

There seems to be a struggle of sorts between technological advancement and philosophy. As technology is being embedded deeper and deeper in everyday life, many questions are answered but at the same time many more arise. I think one major thing that advanced technology does that scares or worries people like Herzog is that it begins to blur the line between right and wrong. And furthermore, it shows just how impressionable (as humans) we are when we let technology change our core values and it shows how vain we are when we say we're creating something that will render the "human aspect" worthless because it is inferior. The biggest question is "will technology help humankind evolve into a more capable and extraordinary species or will it eventually render us thoughtless animals that are totally dependent?"

[@anataria]

"There will be artificial machines that can even make movies, maybe quite as good as yours?" ... "Of course NOT!!!" lollllll

[@ChristianBang34]

wow:) intelligent man meets wide eyed pop journalist in the most debased form of journalism on youtube

[@michaelcrawford310]

liberal documentary maker meets liberal journalists.

[@ThePrimordialChronicles]

ChristianBang34 Let me guess-you're a rightwing,libertarian or a trump supporter?

[@plasticweapon]

Szkotu Szkocki whereas you're a sort of person that anyone with a brain is heartily sick of.

[@ifthebeltiscrackedor]

ChristianBang34 So what? This is the world we live in? Who wants to throw the first stone?

[@FutileEscape]

Exactly!

[@DippinSauc]

His voice is eerily sound like some one from a distant future inspiring us and telling us not to fall for obvious human follies. May be his German accent English and his easy to listen husky voice is behind all of this.

[@Bikewithlove]

Good interview!

[@dunnyt1680]

I got a Werner Herzog MasterClass ad before this vid, I like this guy

[@dunnyt1680]

And the MasterClass looks fucking awesome too

[@timk165]

It is, watch all his movies to know what he talks about tho

[@tobiashmnilsson]

You guys are amazing - Werner Herzog that's brilliant.

[@IAmTheOceanWhosWatersOverflow]

This dudes Pupils Holy shit.

[@TheQuestionmarkstudi]

Very interesting interview..

[@x.davidwilliams83]

Huzzah, good interview. I really liked him in Reacher.

[@XxXVideoVeiwerXxX]

10:55 this is why I love this guy. Laughed hard.

[@bobby666000666]

Holy shit, the interviewers pupils are massive.

[@PittsburghHODLr]

I was wondering where Regis Philbin went, he's been working on the internet. Thumbs up for you REGIS!

[@SlightlyOP]

VICE you guys are great. Entertaining and real. True mind candy

[@yaboydolphin]

lol

[@roqofort5110]

I could listen to that voice all day

[@Gormfeld]

I wish I had a legendary voice like Mr. Herzog...

[@shitlordflytrap1078]

You can train your voice to do something fun with it

[@TheMimifur]

Werner is a genius. I have a wee thought always Werner v Wim! Wonderful film makers. Having just watched, again, The Fire Within I am so Werner.... but last night I watched a Wim film... love them both. So glad I am of the generation that has lived with them.

[@twentytwo_22]

heard about him first here, great man!

[@Fantomas2110]

awesome documentary

[@yeahpandu]

Ooo can't wait to hear his hypnotic narrating voice

[@Nautilus1972]

"What is this movie about to you?" "The Internet."

[@jforbes1236]

Love this guy

[@kriskenard]

I am very excited about the future

[@jac11500]

Dude is rollin face

[@StarCrusher.]

he's fascinating

[@dlower23]

"I'd love to be the poet on Mars" "heah heah"

[@GarrySkipPerkins]

Werner Herzog is awesome. I have been a fan ever since Bear Man.

[@fogerty8227]

Haha

[@anudistsjury]

Grizzly Man*

[@GarrySkipPerkins]

anudistsjury Thanks for the correction.

[@schauplatz2778]

;) i have been a fan since the documentary "my best friend"

[@insanejughead]

@@schauplatz2778 My Best Fiend* I personally love the journey of his film Fritzcarraldo.

[@cezwitsteez]

werner is just such a humble boss!

[@34greenmantle]

Excellent - very insightful thoughts from a great film-maker.

[@darkxxx2]

i love this guy

[@AlexanderBachmann]

4:37 "Of course not!" - :D

[@m-bronte]

His voice is like an old transistor radio speaking to us from the past about the future but in real time.

[@jimbose]

Would be appropriate to have an interview with Herzog concerning something that would shock :)

[@urbanfitnessdbn424]

He’s character in Jack Reacher will do anything to survive! Sounds just like him. Legend

[@seeingsights]

That was interesting.

[@1in6win]

Legit thought that was Colin Mochrie from Whose Line Is It Anyway in the thumbnail XD

[@meinerHeld]

"curiosity" TEARS

[@crismeloearth]

I love him.

[@user-ob9zo9cr4c]

his voice is crazy specific,

[@PUMPADOUR]

Werner Herzog - cool. This interview not that much.

[@QualeQualeson]

It's the dude with the dilated pupils and the poor diction. Eager but trite.

[@denizmetint.462]

Bester Mann!

[@Zehahahaa]

Werner should have his own award

[@slowbot68]

it's a good film, saw it recently.

[@lnbartstudio2713]

"The poet on Mars" This is My Man. !

[@Nautilus1972]

The Mandalorian. Can't wait.

[@swish007]

man i can't watch him now after thinking of his ultra-scary bad guy character in jack reacher. he was great in that role

[@ronnoc9638]

I just pictured the terminator and the first chapter is like this opening intro

[@badmusicchannel5519]

Notice the “first piece” label inscription: “imp register panel.”

[@oNTiger]

I cannot unsee The Zec

[@ryanrodrigues6127]

Werner Hezdog is a legend.

[@fouraces1949]

The interviewer is high AF

[@Youcantleavethisempty01]

More importantly. What brand of watch does WH wear?

[@dondake3409]

I love you, Werner Herzog.

[@stephenbusscher]

“Lo and behold...” lol CUZ IT CRASHED @ G

[@raysofmariehere6441]

I came here to see how spot on Paul f Tompkins was on comedy bang bang and I was NOT disappointed.

[@tulanimafulela5127]

where is the film , i want to see it

[@kawabungadad8945]

Ben's got some serious saucer pupils.

[@fjs808]

We have to draw some boundaries now for further technologies. For example CRISPER(i hope i spelled it right) should be used to remove cancer DNA but not have designer babies. Someone should do a documentary about this. This shit is important.

[@KappaClaus]

Cool

[@svill1010]

The thumbnail looks like he's saying "I caught a fish this big"

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

Thanks VICE

[@HardtechnoVictim]

nice pupils...bet he had some good trips lately ;)...btw awesome pike tatoo

[@neillim6172]

I like modern Technologies, yet i'm scared of it too.

[@firesnakezero4575]

What's scary is how few people actually understand the basic tech we use every day.

[@lenguamuerto]

we are waaay to irresponsible and short sighted to utilize the technologies at our disposal safely

[@seal6565]

+lengua muerta That is very true. We need to incorporate the kind of subjects in our schools that teaches the dangers, benefits of technology and the healthy ways to make uses of it especially the internet. Preferably in very young kids at kindergarten and elementary. Technology is way too involved in our daily lives to ignore.

[@lenguamuerto]

Titty Bugatti we're on the verge of a literal technological nightmare and most people don't even realize it, yet what schools are interested in teaching children now is gender confusion at a very young age, it's madness

[@seal6565]

lengua muerta​ It is indeed fucking ridiculous. We are more invested in teaching our kids to accept people who mutilate their genitals to emulate their idol Bruce Jener than we are at teaching them how to adapt to the extremely fast technological revolution. 

[@FutureSoundStation]

There is an underlying stupiditiy to the interview questions. What a shame. I'm sure the interviewer isn't stupid but I don't get the impression that he fully "gets" what Werner Herzog is doing either.

[@Zehahahaa]

5:36 Well I can make them talk.. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Claytonlamm]

Sometimes a little bit of fear is a good thing.

[@adielsanders6171]

Is the music Mahler?

[@MusicLover-ti6zo]

I have never thought of about that. The internet is us, humanity at its best and worst. Humans are capable of the best good and the worst. I want to hear what his thoughts about the show Black Mirror.

[@for_all_those3611]

uploaded the full 60 minutes by mistake

[@whiteruntz3431]

lmaoooooooo yoo at 30 seconds does anyone else hear the voice from one of the boondocks episodes

[@nickng645]

This guy was hilarious in The Boondocks

[@dme1016]

I'm a bright guy & I've always loved learning about new things. When I was 5 though, I thought Pop-Tarts were amazing, but they never opened up my mind to inter-connectivity realms that would eventually help lead to the internet. Too bad :)

[@carterscustomrods]

I kept waiting for Dethklok to appear...

[@kristiankrokfoss2899]

Herzog

[@zigarettenbruch6999]

Or you could phrase it this way: "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"

[@SamRaycraft]

This is interesting but I can't help but think of Paul F Tompkins on CBB when I watch this.

[@BluntedAssasin27]

The Zec from Jack Reacher, he was cold

[@joachimrydelius2125]

He sounds exactly like the narrator from the movie Grizzlyman!

[@SeraphimRoad]

Because he is

[@xenotone3284]

He gets VR in a way few outside the industry do

[@ZenNaster]

am I the only one that looked at the thumbnail and thought it was Colin Mochrie from who's line is it anyway?

[@DaveTerrasidio]

Genius

[@Girgenma]

Vice, please never let this guy interview another person ever again!

[@MyNextShotWontMiss]

I've been hearing a lot lately how trolls are some new phenomenon. Not just on this vid (which is a poor example of my point) but all over the web. There were trolls in the 1990s on IRC and forums long before YT, FB, Twitter, etc. even existed. They were even around during the BBS days but we didn't call them trolls then.

[@MrAppleby56]

Vice books a legendary film maker for their website, and the first question the interviewer asks? "What is this movie about?"

[@Lindform]

By asking that Herzog summarizes for us - the audience. It's a common opener to ask about the recent work of the interviewee.

[@bmoney2011]

Herzog is not a man who wastes his time. If he's doing something, it's worth it. Your opinion is irrelevant.

[@plasticweapon]

Brandon Dollar try saying it another three times, maybe herzog will appear in your mirror.

[@pho3nix-]

He's an interesting fella

[@joebazooks]

that guy's pupils are HUGEEE