Erin StapletonNo Fluffy Penguins (well, maybe just a few gay or deranged ones)
August 1st 2008 11:21
"Encounters at the End of the World" by Werner Herzog (2007)
I hate documentaries, and although I want to go to Antarctica, I have no interest in the shows about wildlife there. So I was a little hesitant about Herzog's new film. So, I only went along when my original plans for the evening had fallen through. And, I must say, I am so glad I went.
*spoiler alert... again*
Herzog narrates the film himself, much to the amusement of me, and everyone else. There's something about sarcasm in a thick German accent that makes it funnier. And to my great relief, Werner announced that he was allowed to make this film, "even if it wasn't about penguins". In fact, he seemed to have a little bit of a hang up about the penguins thing, because they were mentioned, fluffy ones, even, in the idyllic misconception people might have of Antarctica. Later in the film, Werner goes to visit a penguin researcher who "doesn't like talking to people much these days, but would make a special effort" so Herzog "tried to keep the conversation flowing" by asking him about whether there were gay penguins, or whether any of them were deranged and thought they were Napoleon. Um, what?
Also, look out for the "filmmaker, cook" who talks about the importance of keeping the faux icecream flowing to avoid a riot, and the "Philosopher, Forklift Operator" who talks about Homeric epics. Oh yes, and the scientist/diver who likes science-fiction, and guitars, and is in a 'pensive' mood and the chimp enslaving a goat at the start. Basically, everyone in Antarctica is a little bit weird, and is made more weird, by Herzog's interrogation, and bizarre and singular camera work and editing. I can never quite put my finger on what it is about it that makes it so distinctive, but Herzog's style is so easily recognisable.
Oh yeh, and look out for the super boring, long-winded linguist found lurking in the greenhouse at 1AM. I wonder what he was doing there...
8.5/10
I hate documentaries, and although I want to go to Antarctica, I have no interest in the shows about wildlife there. So I was a little hesitant about Herzog's new film. So, I only went along when my original plans for the evening had fallen through. And, I must say, I am so glad I went.
(this is the volcano that you want to keep your eye on if it erupts, so that you make sure that you see any large bits of rock coming toward you, being filmed by a tekkie, riot-proof camera)
*spoiler alert... again*
Herzog narrates the film himself, much to the amusement of me, and everyone else. There's something about sarcasm in a thick German accent that makes it funnier. And to my great relief, Werner announced that he was allowed to make this film, "even if it wasn't about penguins". In fact, he seemed to have a little bit of a hang up about the penguins thing, because they were mentioned, fluffy ones, even, in the idyllic misconception people might have of Antarctica. Later in the film, Werner goes to visit a penguin researcher who "doesn't like talking to people much these days, but would make a special effort" so Herzog "tried to keep the conversation flowing" by asking him about whether there were gay penguins, or whether any of them were deranged and thought they were Napoleon. Um, what?
Also, look out for the "filmmaker, cook" who talks about the importance of keeping the faux icecream flowing to avoid a riot, and the "Philosopher, Forklift Operator" who talks about Homeric epics. Oh yes, and the scientist/diver who likes science-fiction, and guitars, and is in a 'pensive' mood and the chimp enslaving a goat at the start. Basically, everyone in Antarctica is a little bit weird, and is made more weird, by Herzog's interrogation, and bizarre and singular camera work and editing. I can never quite put my finger on what it is about it that makes it so distinctive, but Herzog's style is so easily recognisable.
Oh yeh, and look out for the super boring, long-winded linguist found lurking in the greenhouse at 1AM. I wonder what he was doing there...
8.5/10
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