Filmmaker Werner Herzog is an international treasure. He’s a fascinating director who has made movies about men who live among grizzlies (Grizzly Man) and harrowing depictions of prisoners of war (Rescue Dawn).
Modern audiences might be more familiar with Herzog for playing The Zec in Jack Reacher or voicing the documentary filmmaker in Penguins of Madagascar. He seems to have a great sense of humor about how he’s perceived and is willing to make fun of it. A great example of that is Herzog’s cameo on last week’s Parks and Recreation.
But the point of this post is to pass along life advice that Herzog shared in a new collection of interviews by Paul Cronin titled Werner Herzog: A Guide for the Perplexed. On the book’s back cover are several pieces of wisdom that may help those who are perplexed.
1. Always take the initiative.
2. There is nothing wrong with spending a night in jail if it means getting the shot you need.
3. Send out all your dogs and one might return with prey.
4. Never wallow in your troubles; despair must be kept private and brief.
5. Learn to live with your mistakes.
6. Expand your knowledge and understanding of music and literature, old and modern.
7. That roll of unexposed celluloid you have in your hand might be the last in existence, so do something impressive with it.
8. There is never an excuse not to finish a film.
9. Carry bolt cutters everywhere.
10. Thwart institutional cowardice.
11. Ask for forgiveness, not permission.
12. Take your fate into your own hands.
13. Learn to read the inner essence of a landscape.
14. Ignite the fire within and explore unknown territory.
15. Walk straight ahead, never detour.
16. Manoeuvre and mislead, but always deliver.
17. Don’t be fearful of rejection.
18. Develop your own voice.
19. Day one is the point of no return.
20. A badge of honor is to fail a film theory class.
21. Chance is the lifeblood of cinema.
22. Guerrilla tactics are best.
23. Take revenge if need be.
24. Get used to the bear behind you.
You’re welcome.
