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guaita t1_isxi7xo wrote

Reply to comment by jesusismagic in Lessons of Darkness (1995) - In 1991, retreating Iraqi armies set fire to hundreds of oil wells in Kuwait, creating a hell on earth. Werner Herzog explores this nightmare world, and the people who existed within it. [00:54:12] by _volkerball_

'Julianes Sturz in den dschungel'

Completely agree with you! xD I also enjoyed a lot 'Little Dieter Needs to Fly' (not so much the movie).

Not from Herzog I will recommend Deep Water (2006)

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jesusismagic t1_isxn7g6 wrote

“Little Dieter Learns to Fly” was good too. One thing that bothers me about Herzog is his practice of (I think this is how he put it in an interview), “Lying to tell a bigger truth.” For example, in “Little Dieter,” he shows Dieter checking doors by opening and shutting them multiple times. In the commentary track, he said Dieter didn’t really do that in real life, but he added it to show how he had to remind himself that he was not captive. I think that was not necessary; any intelligent person could see that he was affected in many ways without this made-up detail. Another documentary (I think he one about blind people) starts with a fake quote from Pascal (made up by Herzog). Again, I don’t think that was necessary.

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000111001101 t1_isy0hyc wrote

Herzog calls it 'ecstatic truth', and it is an artistic device, if you will. He wrote a whole manifesto on the concept, it is worth checking out. I personally love him for this - don't see him as a documentarian, looking for facts, but a composer who bends reality to serve a larger narrative. This is how I understand Herzog's storytelling method.

Seen in this light, various creation myths in many ways hold more meaning than our modern notion of the Big Bang. There is little drama in the Big Bang, no narrative, and thus it becomes a cold, dead concept we are unable to grasp with our feelings and senses. A giant had a fight and died, thus creating mountains? That makes total sense to me, if you see what I mean. Herzog doesn't deny the Big Bang, and neither do I, meaning is merely to be found beyond the looking glass.

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jesusismagic t1_it0vrt5 wrote

I guess that is a valid viewpoint, if you are comfortable with it. I just think there’s enough bullshit flying around for anyone to feel the need to go out of their way to creat more. That said, I was only talking about his documentaries. Obviously, “Kaspar Hauser” is a factionalized retelling of a true story and doesn’t claim to be otherwise. I don’t have a problem with that at all. But when I watch a documentary I want to learn new things and these “ecstatic truth” landmines are an obstacle. None of this detracts from my admiration for his work, however. The saga of the making of “Fitzcarraldo” is fascinating. “Heart of Glass” is pretty great too.

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