On Sunday, October 27, the Hollywood Theatre will screen Burden of Dreams, director Les Blank’s 1982 documentary about Werner Herzog’s insane experiences filming Fitzcarraldo—a task that involved literally pulling a boat over a mountain. Enjoy the rest of Herzog-tober (what? it’s a thing) with some of Herzog’s documentaries—which are also some of the best documentaries ever made—and a few other movies. Find these movies on the Mercury’s shelf at Movie Madness (4320 SE Belmont, moviemadness.org) from Tues Oct 1-Thurs Oct 31!
Grizzly Man (dir. Herzog, 2005)—Probably Herzog’s most famous movie, Grizzly Man is a jarring, jaw-dropping portrait of Timothy Treadwell, who lived in the wilds of Alaska and treated grizzly bears like dogs. Treadwell’s story ends exactly how you’d expect, but Herzog’s film is insightful rather than exploitative.
My Best Fiend (dir. Herzog, 1999)—Friendships can get real fucked-up, and there might be no better example than the chaotic bond between Herzog and actor Klaus Kinski.
Encounters at the End of the World (dir. Herzog, 2007)—In Antarctica, Herzog finds sparse beauty, isolated scientists, and “deranged penguins.” “He’s heading toward certain death,” Herzog observes, as an adorable penguin toddles off toward certain death.
