Werner Herzog
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)
I am not interested in making films that are easy to watch. I am interested in making films that are difficult to forget.
The world is a dream, and I am a dreamer.
I am not a teacher. I am a student.
The only way to make a film is to be completely honest with yourself.
I am not interested in making films that are politically correct. I am interested in making films that are humanly correct.
The world is a mirror, and I am a reflection.
I am not a god. I am a man.
The only way to make a film is to be completely in love with it.
I am not interested in making films that are popular. I am interested in making films that are important.
The world is a song, and I am a singer.
I am not a hero. I am a survivor.
The only way to make a film is to be completely fearless.
I am not interested in making films that are perfect. I am interested in making films that are alive.
The world is a story, and I am a storyteller.
I am not a saint. I am a sinner.
The only way to make a film is to be completely dedicated to it.
I am not interested in making films that are safe. I am interested in making films that are dangerous.
The world is a poem, and I am a poet.
I am not a victim. I am a warrior.
The only way to make a film is to be completely passionate about it.
Contemporaries of Werner Herzog
Other Film & Theaters born within 50 years of Werner Herzog (1942).