Watch the troika of Koyanniqasti, Lessons Of Darkness then Baraka.

Netflix HO! Must see that.

I've seen Koyanawhatsit, Powanasomething, and Maybe the last one. But those aren't Herzog, are they?

No, they're not schmawy. I'm wondering myself what this has to do with Koyaanisqatsi (or any part of the Qatsi trilogy) and Baraka. Admittedly, I haven't seen Lessons of Darkness, but it seems to come with a somewhat pretentious and judgmental attitude not present in the others.

Koyaanisqatsi ("Life Out of Balance") is a film by Godfrey Reggio that examines our manufactured world and how we are a part it. Baraka was directed by Ron Fricke, the cinematographer for Koyaanisqatsi. 'A celebration of humanity' is about the only description I can come up with. It shows us in all our grandeur and ugliness and passes no judgement. I still consider it one of the best films ever made. (The "meanings" of the films are my own interpretations and feelings about them, and not meant to be attributed to their respective creators.)

The Qatsi Trilogy website
Ron Fricke entry at wiki

That was simply a recommendation of mine, none of the movies have anything to do with each other really.

Lessons In Darkness is different in that Herzog uses the imagery to construct his own view and understanding with regards to the Gulf War. I found the mixture of classical music, striking visual photography of oil spread over a desolate land with his incidental commentary very moving.

Baraka is also a favorite of mine. Though I hope Ron Fricke finishes Samsara sometime soon as well as the script is wonderful.

I can see the parallel, Farhad. Man and his madness and control and commitment to beauty and destruction. Herzog is mad himself, that shoe-eating, jungle hating madman. Is that video of him being shot on here? I go look...

...oh yeah, there it is.

http://www.videosift.com/video/Werner-Herzog-is-shot-during-a-BBC-Interview

Those two are good recommendations, Farhad. I might have to watch this too now, despite having recently seen Aguirre: The Wrath of God. Oy, talk about painful. Well, maybe that's a bit harsh, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Also looking forward to Samsara. I'm sure I'll see the trailer here first!


[edit] Ah, the order just of your rec's just hit me Farhad - that does make sense.

Herzog is a fascinating character and director. I highly recommend watching Burden of Dreams which is a documentary following Herzog as he tries to direct the 1982 film Fitzcarraldo, its a fascinating portrait of a mans struggle against nature, it also gives a wonderful insight into Herzog himself.

Its one of my favorite films filled with amazing visuals of the Amazon, reflections by Herzog and his seemingly impossible trails during the production of Fitzcarraldo. I actually liked the documentary more then the final film itself. There is a clip of it on VS here.

Herzog also made the documentary Grizzly Man about a bear lover who filmed himself trying to live with bears, eventually getting himself and his girlfriend eaten by a bear.

Anyway its time to *requeue

Re-queueing this video for one more try; last queued Friday, February 8th, 2008 2:51am PST - requeue requested by submitter Farhad2000.

*dead

This published video has been declared non-functional; embed code must be fixed within 2 days or it will be sent to the dead pool - declared dead by calvados.