Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog, a multifaceted German artist, has made significant contributions to cinema, literature, and even opera. With a filmmaking career spanning over six decades, Herzog has written, produced, and directed more than 60 films and documentaries, among which Aguirre, the Wrath of God, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, and Fitzcarraldo stand out as some of the most notable. In addition, he has published over a dozen books of prose, demonstrating his adeptness with the written word. Herzog's films often delve into the complex relationships between individuals and their dreams and individuals and the natural world, exploring these themes through a unique, improvisational filmmaking style.

Herzog's exceptional work has not gone unnoticed. In 2009, Time magazine recognized him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He has garnered numerous awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Film Society Directing Award at the 2006 San Francisco International Film Festival and the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival for his film Grizzly Man. His commitment to his craft extends beyond his own work as he has often contributed to the development of other filmmakers by casting local people in his films and founding the Rogue Film School in 2009.

The breadth of Herzog's experience extends beyond the realm of filmmaking. His life, filled with adventurous undertakings such as walking from Munich to Paris to prevent a friend's death and surviving a shooting during an interview, offers a rich tapestry of experiences that inform his unique viewpoint. His move to Los Angeles in the late 1990s symbolizes his embrace of new landscapes and experiences, as reflected in his films. Moreover, he is multilingual, with proficiency in English, French, Greek, and Spanish, and literacy in Latin and Ancient Greek, further expanding his ability to engage with diverse audiences. Herzog's vast body of work, combined with his diverse interests and experiences, underscores his value as a speaker, providing him with a wealth of unique insights to share with his audience.

In 2023, Herzog published his memoir "Every Man for Himself and God Against All," where he tells the story of his life and his legendary artistic career in film. He details growing up and fleeing Nazi Germany, living in poverty without the knowledge of cinema until he was 11 years old, and his struggles starting in the industry.