Werner Herzog and Conquest of the Useless

Larry Mantle (L) and Werner Herzog (R) in KPCC's Pasadena City College studio.

Visionary filmmaker Werner Herzog kept a diary during the making of his epic film "Fitzcarraldo." The lavish 1982 film told the story of a would-be rubber baron who pulls a steamship over a hill in order to access rich rubber territory. The film won the Outstanding Director Prize at 1982's Cannes Film Festival. Shot in the Amazon, Herzog later spoke of the difficulties in producing the film. "Conquest of the Useless: Reflections from the Making of Fitzcarraldo" (Ecco, 2009) is Herzog's diary that he kept during the film. From weather conditions, language barriers to casting troubles Werner Herzog joins Larry to talk about one of his greatest achievements.

Visionary filmmaker Werner Herzog kept a diary during the making of his epic film "Fitzcarraldo." The lavish 1982 film told the story of a would-be rubber baron who pulls a steamship over a hill in order to access rich rubber territory. The film won the Outstanding Director Prize at 1982's Cannes Film Festival. Shot in the Amazon, Herzog later spoke of the difficulties in producing the film. "Conquest of the Useless: Reflections from the Making of Fitzcarraldo" (Ecco, 2009) is Herzog's diary that he kept during the film. From weather conditions, language barriers to casting troubles Werner Herzog joins Larry to talk about one of his greatest achievements.

Winner of 2010 Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI) award for Best Interview, competing against public radio programming nationwide.

Guest:

Werner Herzog, author of “Conquest of the Useless: Reflections from the Making of Fitzcarraldo". Herzog has produced, written, and directed more than fifty films, including "Aguirre", "The Wrath of God"; "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser"; "Rescue Dawn"; and "Grizzly Man". He was a 2009 Oscar nominee for his documentary "Encounters at the End of the World".