Werner Herzog

Film & Theater German 1942 379 quotes

Visionary filmmaker and profound quotable figure

Most quoted

"There are deeper strata of truth in cinema, and there is such a thing as poetic, ecstatic truth. It is mysterious and elusive, and can be reached only through fabrication and imagination and stylization."

— from Minnesota Declaration, 1999

"I don't think there's any such thing as 'nature' in the abstract. There's only the nature of this particular jungle, this particular desert, this particular mountain range. And they are all hostile."

— from Various interviews

"I don't think there's any such thing as a natural born filmmaker. I think you have to be a little bit crazy to want to be a filmmaker."

— from Interview

All quotes by Werner Herzog (379)

The only way to be free is to be alone.

various interviews

I'm not interested in making films that are politically correct.

various interviews

The world is a dream, and I'm trying to wake up.

various interviews

I'm not a director. I'm an explorer.

various interviews

The only way to make a film is to be completely mad.

various interviews

I'm not interested in making films that are popular.

various interviews

The world is a stage, and I'm trying to find my role.

various interviews

I'm not a filmmaker. I'm a poet.

various interviews

The only way to make a film is to be completely honest.

various interviews

I'm not interested in making films that are commercial.

various interviews

The world is a prison, and I'm trying to escape.

various interviews

I'm not a director. I'm a visionary.

various interviews

I'm not interested in making films that are entertaining.

various interviews

The world is a labyrinth, and I'm trying to find my way out.

various interviews

I'm not a filmmaker. I'm a philosopher.

various interviews

The only way to make a film is to be completely passionate.

various interviews

I'm not interested in making films that are easy to understand.

various interviews

The world is a riddle, and I'm trying to solve it.

various interviews

I'm not a director. I'm a shaman.

various interviews

The only way to make a film is to be completely dedicated.

various interviews