A pioneer of behind-the-scenes documentaries Heart of Darkness–It might be interesting to see a famous film director lose his nerve in the jungle–Les Blank The burden of dreams Cutting through the many myths and memories that characterize Werner Herzog, the film takes us deep into the creative process of his life-threatening (and in some cases life-destroying) works. FitzcarraldoWhether it’s better than the final product is a debate worth having, and one that will likely be debated in a grander spirit in the near future. The restored version is due to be released by Argot Pictures on July 19th. Film Forumwhich Screenings also planned Fitzcarraldoand a new trailer has arrived.
The synopsis is as follows. “BURDEN OF DREAMS is a riveting chronicle of the nearly disastrous production of Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo, which stars Klaus Kinski in the title role and Claudia Cardinale in the lead role, and tells the story of one man’s attempt to build an opera house deep in the Amazon jungle. As the cast keeps quitting (original star Jason Robards Jr. fell ill with dysentery and was barred by doctors from returning to Peru to finish filming, and captain Mick Jagger had to leave the country to join the Rolling Stones on tour), a prop boat gets stuck in rapids, and Herzog takes on impossible tasks, like convincing hundreds of Kampa, Matsiguenga and Aguaruna people to pull a life-sized 320-ton steamship over a small mountain. Featuring interviews with Herzog himself, the film details his unwavering vision for a project that took nearly five years to realize.BURDEN OF DREAMS is a riveting chronicle of the nearly disastrous production of Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo, which stars Klaus Kinski in the title role and Claudia Cardinale in the lead role. As the cast keeps quitting (original star Jason Robards Jr. fell ill with dysentery and was barred by doctors from returning to Peru to finish filming, and captain Mick Jagger had to leave Peru to join the Rolling Stones on tour), Herzog takes on impossible tasks, like convincing hundreds of Kampa, Matsiguenga and Aguaruna people to pull a life-sized 320-ton steamship over a small mountain. Featuring interviews with Herzog himself, the film details his unwavering vision for a project that took nearly five years to realize. DREAMS remains a fascinating (and controversial) document of the filmmaking process and a unique look into the mind of one of cinema’s most distinctive and fearless directors.
Check out the preview and poster below:
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