Werner Herzog on Memory: Today, we’re diving deep into the world of the legendary filmmaker, writer, and storyteller, Werner Herzog. A man whose life and career defy convention, Herzog is known for his boldness, his adventurous spirit, and his fearless pursuit of truth. But today, we’ll explore a side of Herzog that goes beyond his iconic films and wild expeditions into the world’s most remote corners. We’ll focus on his thoughts about memory, truth, writing, and the unsettling path humanity seems to be sleepwalking toward in our modern world.
The Man Behind the Films
Werner Herzog is not just a filmmaker. He’s a force of nature. With over eighty films, countless books, and a career spanning nearly six decades, Werner Herzog has left an indelible mark on cinema and literature. From the jungles of South America to the edge of erupting volcanoes, he’s ventured into the heart of human experience—capturing stories that are raw, unsettling, and profoundly human.
But when I sat down with him recently in Paris, just before the French translation of his memoir, Every Man for Himself and God Against All, was released, Werner Herzog made one thing abundantly clear—he didn’t want to talk about his films. This was a surprising statement from a man whose filmography is filled with iconic works like Aguirre, The Wrath of God, Grizzly Man, and Cave of Forgotten Dreams.
Instead, Herzog wanted to discuss something more personal—his writing. A storyteller in every sense, Werner Herzog sees writing as more than just an art form. For him, it’s home. And while his films have earned him worldwide recognition, Werner Herzog believes that his prose will outlast his films.
Writing: A Pure Form of Storytelling
From a young age, Werner Herzog was a writer. He started writing poetry before he even knew cinema existed. At just eighteen, he had already amassed two and a half kilos of text! But what makes writing so special to him?
For Herzog, writing is direct and pure. Unlike cinema, where there are many steps—funding, production, editing—writing is just the act of putting words on a page. It’s unfiltered, immediate, and deeply personal. It’s a way for Werner Herzog to connect with the world in a way that no other medium can offer.
His memoir, for instance, wasn’t written in a structured, planned way. It was a spontaneous outpouring of his life and memories. And even though his writing doesn’t follow conventional narrative rules, Herzog’s approach to memory and truth is what makes his work so intriguing.
The Elusiveness of Truth and Memory |
In our conversation, Werner Herzog touched on a fascinating idea: that memories are not fixed. They’re malleable, and they often deceive us. He quotes the French novelist André Gide: “I alter facts in such a way that they resemble truth more than reality.” Herzog agrees with this philosophy. He believes that history, much like our memories, is constructed—shaped by perspective, context, and time.
This idea is echoed in his documentary Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World, where Werner Herzog explores the nature of the internet, artificial intelligence, and the human brain. A prominent brain researcher in the film states, “There is no truth in the human brain.” This stark statement challenges everything we believe about our own memories and experiences.
For Herzog, the search for truth is like chasing a ghost. In his memoir, he writes about the labyrinth of memories and how they’re constantly in flux. He questions how much of our memories are true and how much of them have changed over time. And sometimes, even the people closest to us—like his own brothers—have different versions of the same events.
But perhaps that’s the beauty of memory and storytelling. By altering and reshaping facts, we can make them more truthful in a way that reality itself cannot. Writing is about capturing the essence of life, not necessarily the cold, hard facts.
Sleepwalking Into New Wars: A Dangerous Path
While Herzog’s exploration of memory and truth is fascinating, his thoughts on the future are equally chilling. As we talked about history and the present moment, Werner Herzog expressed deep concern over the state of the world and humanity’s tendency to forget its violent past.
Herzog argues that humanity is sleepwalking into new wars, and he sees many parallels with the events that led to World War I. People today are increasingly oblivious to the lessons of history, especially when it comes to the destructive power of nuclear weapons. The advent of artificial intelligence and autonomous drones, Herzog warns, could lead us down an even darker path—one where machines could make life-and-death decisions, with little regard for human life.
The Power of Writing and Its True Influence
When asked about his motivation for writing, Herzog took an unconventional stance. For him, writing is not about understanding the world. It’s about the joy of storytelling. While many may believe that cinema has the power to change the world, Herzog argues that true power comes from orators—those who wield a microphone—and from weapons.
Yet, Herzog also believes that books, while not as powerful as orators or guns, do hold a unique power. They form our perspectives and become a part of our inner landscape. For Herzog, writing isn’t about changing the world in grand, dramatic ways—it’s about creating a space for reflection and understanding.
What’s Next for Werner Herzog?
At eighty-two, Herzog shows no signs of slowing down. He’s currently working on a new book and has two major projects in the works—a documentary and a feature film. It’s amazing to think that a man who once believed he wouldn’t live past twenty-five is now producing more creative work than ever. Herzog’s passion for storytelling remains as strong as ever, and his voice continues to resonate in a world that desperately needs it.
The Legacy of Herzog
Werner Herzog’s journey through life, art, and storytelling is nothing short of extraordinary. His exploration of memory, truth, and the future of humanity challenges us to look at the world differently. Whether through his films, his writing, or his philosophical musings, Herzog invites us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves, our past, and the direction we’re headed.
Herzog’s message is clear: to understand the world, we must be willing to question everything—even our own memories. And while the search for truth may always be elusive, the journey itself is what gives life meaning. As Herzog continues to create and inspire, his legacy as one of the greatest storytellers of our time is already secured.
