The Guy Who Ate His Shoe
Zen lessons from a master of the unexpected. Last night I met Werner Herzog, acclaimed German filmmaker, at a special screening of his latest film, Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale. In a career spanning 54 films, Herzog has dragged a steamship over a mountain in the Peruvian jungle, hypnotized a cast for a shoot, filmed on a volcano ready to explode, and boiled and eaten his own shoe. (See video below). 
But that’s not what has impressed me most about the cinematic giant. I was struck by Herzog’s many Zen-like insights, applicable to other art forms, and to technology. Herzog imparts wisdom as he speaks the bold unadorned truth with no fear of the consequences. He is uncompromising in the creation of his art. Here are some ValleyZen takeaways I distilled from Werner Herzog:
1) Break Your Routine
The actors had to lose up to 50 pounds for their emaciated roles. Because it is easier to gain weight quickly than to lose weight fast, Rescue Dawn was shot backwards –last scenes first. Herzog acknowledged, “This was a great challenge for developing characters and for directing the inner moods of the characters.” However, I observed an incredible end-result. Herzog creates a beautiful energy that pulls both forwards and backwards in the film.
2) Never do the Same Thing
“I’ve never been at a standstill,” Herzog said. “I’ve never trod the same square inches until I sank into the ground.” Herzog most certainly has not fallen into a creative rut. Instead he has embraced extremes and continually challenged the status quo.
3) Release your Digital Doppelgängers
Herzog’s fame and unparalleled impact on visual culture has created many alternative selves that he calls the Herzog Doppelgängers. He accepts that he doesn’t have control of these “stooges” or the way they are perceived by the media. Instead of being concerned, he jokes, “at least I don’t need a bodyguard.”In the Valley, our digital doppelgängers include multiple online presences and in some cases virtual personalities. I think it’s possible to take a page out of Herzog’s book, relinquishing control, letting go of defining a single rigidly articulated self and accepting the multi-faceted realities we all must navigate in this new media world.
Yes, extreme is the word for this film. And that note about filming chronologically backwards — quite a stroke. It was a high point to be with Herzog, talk a bit, take in his drive firsthand, shake his hand.