Werner Herzog: Driven to the Ends of the World

Anyone who knows me personally (and is willing to listen to me ramble on about film) knows that I have an ongoing love affair with Werner Herzog. The man is just pure genius in my eyes and given his more than 50 films of various lengths and subjects, I have yet to see one that I haven’t enjoyed. (I haven’t seen them all yet, but getting darn close, I am!)

Herzog’s newest film is BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS which is [sort of ] a remake of the original 1992 Abel Ferrara version starring Harvey Keitel. Herzog’s version stars Nicolas Cage as The Lieutenant, with Val Kilmer, Eva Mendes, Brad Dourif, Jennifer Coolidge, Fairuza Balk and Xzibit rounding out the cast. BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS is set to open in theaters in late 2009/early 2010.

Technically, the only other remake Herzog has done was of his own film, having made the narrative film RESCUE DAWN based on his docummentary LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO DIE, but even calling that a remake is a stretch. Regardless, this new film will be a first in two areas for Herzog.

In a sense, this is technically part two of my formal online expression of infatuation with the German filmmaker, as I originally posted an edition of Meet the Makers on Herzog back in February 2008. This part was inspired by a small blurp I read on a CineVegas newsletter and decided to take the idea and expand even further on the international element of Herzog’s career.

Here is a selection of films illustrating Herzog’s filmmaking travels:

Encounters at the End of the World (2007) – Antarctica
Rescue Dawn (2006) – Thailand, Asia
Grizzly Man (2005) – Katmai National Park, Alaska, North America
Wheel of Time (2003) – Bodgaya, Bihar, India, Asia
Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) – France/UK, Europe
Lessons of Darkness (1992) – Kuwait, Asia
Cobra Verde (1987) – Ghana, Africa; Brazil/Columbia, South America
Where the Green Ants Dream (1984) – Breakaways Reserve, South Australia, Australia
Fitzcarraldo (1982) – Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
Woyzeck (1979) – Telc, Czech Republic, Europe
Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) – Bavaria, Germany, Europe
Heart of Glass (1976) – Alaska/Wyoming, North America; Ireland/Switzerland, Europe
Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972) – Peru, South America
Fata Morgana (1971) – Algeria/Kenya, Africa

Now, that’s merely 14 of the more than 50 films Herzog has directed and yet, this list spans 18 countries spread out across all seven of the continents. That is both amazing and insane! Fitting, since the man himself is both amazing and insane. Not really “insane” but, if you haven’t already watched Les Blank’s riveting 1982 documentary ‘BURDEN OF DREAMS‘ about Herzog’s experience while making FITZCARRALDO then you’re really missing out.

Herzog has done narrative dramas to boot, but he’s also made several successful documentaries himself, especially in the last decade including his most recent WHEEL OF TIME, GRIZZLY MAN and ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD. Those three films alone take him from India to Alaska to Antarctica, all within a five year period. Herzog’s frequent flier miles must be crazy nice!

With all the serious, moody and dramatic stories that Herzog has told, it seems from the small bit of the film we’ve seen so far that BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS could possibly be his first venture into, shall I say it… comedy? No, not out right “comedy” but, sort of more dark humor worked into a corrupt cop drama. If this be true, it’s new territory for Herzog. However, I will still see the film and the odds are in favor of me liking this one as well.