Burden of Dreams

I shouldn't make movies anymore, I should go to a lunatic asylum!

I watched Burden of Dreams tonight. The movie is a documentary by Les Blank about Herzog's filming of Fitzcarraldo. Some of my favorite facts I learned were the following:

1. Herzog had to hire prostitutes to keep the natives happy - the Catholic Missionaries told them if they didn't hire the prostitutes, the men would go into the villages and rape instead. The missionaries said that is just how it is, and Herzog noticed this and accepted it. They interviewed one of the prostitutes and she said she definitely did this out of necessity, not out of choice.

2. This film portrayed Kinski in a much better light than My Best Fiend. Kinski appeared to be the rational one throughout the filming - talking about how he was bored out of his mind because Herzog made them sit on sight until he felt like the timing to film was perfect. Kinski discussed how he is there on contract, it is his job, but it still makes him miserable to be there. However, the jungle was wonderful says Kinski.

3. There were three boats used to film the movie. I guess that makes sense, and I feel sort of dumb for not thinking that before. I want to watch Fitzcarraldo again to see if I can see the difference in the boats.

I think I underestimated Fitzcarraldo upon my first viewing last month. I need to see it again now that I've seen both My Best Fiend and Burden of Dreams. I also need to see Aguirre, Wrath of God again to compare the two. Good thing I have a 10 day vacation coming up for Christmas at work.