Educational Media Reviews Online

In October and November of 2007, the University of Pennsylvania’s Cinema Studies program co-sponsored ,em>Ecstatic Truth: Documenting Herzog ‘Documenting’, a multi-media exhibition at the Slought Foundation galleries in Philadelphia. As its title suggests, the organizing themes of the exhibition were the legendary German film-maker’s often-invoked pursuit of “ecstatic truth” and its connection to his singular manner of blending fabrication with documentary elements in both feature narrative films (The Mystery of Kaspar Hauser, Fitzcarraldo, Aguirre the Wrath of God) and various nonfictional forays (Lessons of Darkness, Little Little Dieter Needs to Fly, Grizzly Man). Associated with the exhibit, and broaching these themes among many others, this DVD records an hour-long conversation between Herzog and Karen Blackman, a film studies professor and director of the aforementioned Cinema Studies program.

Herzog is an indefatigably compelling, provocative, eloquent and generous interviewee, as anyone can confirm by perusing the web, which abounds in video footage of previous interviews. What most distinguishes this no-frills production is its unbroken duration, which enables one to enjoy the cumulative charms of an extended and intimate conversation with a brilliantly resourceful and penetrating mind. Herzog here boldly reflects upon a broad range of topics – such as his view of the true nature of cinematic art, his sources of inspiration and influence, his trepidations about the impact of modern media technologies on cinema, his use of music in films, his ambivalence towards academia, and his attitude toward the nonhuman natural world. The conversation is followed by a brief question-and-answer session featuring probing queries from film students.

Although no extra features appear on the DVD, the booklet features several texts written by Herzog, including his 1999 “Minnesota Declaration.” Recommended for film studies programs.