This is an interesting documentary, at least for those like myself who have seen and are fans of the cycle of films starring Klaus Kinski and directed by Werner Herzog, who helms this largely autobiographical and highly subjective documentary as well. It retraces the steps of their friendship to unlikely places such as a boarding house in Germany where Kinski shared lodgings with the adolescent Herzog and his family. It follows the production of each of the 5 films Herzog and Kinski made together in order, spending perhaps 15 or 20 minutes on each.
There is some very fascinating footage here from the filming of both "Aguirre: The Wrath of God" and "Fitzcarraldo", the duo's most impressive collaborations. Also Herzog interviews various co-stars such as Claudia Cardinale (who recalls an odd episode where Kinski became very frustrated with a small animal) and Eva Mattes (who brings up a poignant story about Kinski mentoring her in a moment of distress while filming "Woyzchek"). Herzog travels to some of the locations where they filmed in South America and recalls Kinski's sometimes extravagant demands.
A lot of interesting aspects of Kinski's craft emerge, such as his way of entering the frame with a swivel to avoid showing the side of his profile, and his seemingly unstoppable need for drama. But the film on the whole is about Herzog and Kinski working together, not about Kinski himself. It's about a work relationship and a friendship, and if we're to believe Herzog the two of them sat together thinking up insults of Herzog for Kinski's autobiography. There have been many great collaborations in cinema, but few where the two artists so often attempted to anger or even kill each other. Herzog and Kinski seem to have seen each other as insufferable egomaniacs, and Herzog describes how Kinski would create tension on the set to ensure that all attention was focused on him. At times Herzog says that he instigated arguments with Kinski because it was the only way to get Kinski's energy down to a level appropriate for the character, specifically on "Aguirre." And Kinski's anger, which we witness in more than one filmed tirade, is indeed a thing of terror and strange beauty.
Fascinating film for fans, and I even suspect that those with no familiarity at all with these films will want to seek them out afterward.
There is some very fascinating footage here from the filming of both "Aguirre: The Wrath of God" and "Fitzcarraldo", the duo's most impressive collaborations. Also Herzog interviews various co-stars such as Claudia Cardinale (who recalls an odd episode where Kinski became very frustrated with a small animal) and Eva Mattes (who brings up a poignant story about Kinski mentoring her in a moment of distress while filming "Woyzchek"). Herzog travels to some of the locations where they filmed in South America and recalls Kinski's sometimes extravagant demands.
A lot of interesting aspects of Kinski's craft emerge, such as his way of entering the frame with a swivel to avoid showing the side of his profile, and his seemingly unstoppable need for drama. But the film on the whole is about Herzog and Kinski working together, not about Kinski himself. It's about a work relationship and a friendship, and if we're to believe Herzog the two of them sat together thinking up insults of Herzog for Kinski's autobiography. There have been many great collaborations in cinema, but few where the two artists so often attempted to anger or even kill each other. Herzog and Kinski seem to have seen each other as insufferable egomaniacs, and Herzog describes how Kinski would create tension on the set to ensure that all attention was focused on him. At times Herzog says that he instigated arguments with Kinski because it was the only way to get Kinski's energy down to a level appropriate for the character, specifically on "Aguirre." And Kinski's anger, which we witness in more than one filmed tirade, is indeed a thing of terror and strange beauty.
Fascinating film for fans, and I even suspect that those with no familiarity at all with these films will want to seek them out afterward.