“Herzog's films often feature protagonists with impossible
dreams, people with unique talents in obscure fields or individuals who find
themselves in conflict with nature.”1 Timothy Treadwell – grizzly bears
defender. In conflict with human nature and mother nature.
“Driven protagonists who often seem to be on the brink of
madness.”2 Timothy Treadwell – addicted to the danger of “socializing”
with bears. Delusional?
“His films frequently feature characters or real people who
attempt to change nature but are ultimately overwhelmed by it.”3
Timothy Treadwell – believed in the goodness of wild beasts, the grizzly bears,
a belief that brought to his death. When confronted with the cycle of life,
reality, in the form of animals’ body parts, reacted in an emotional way, as if
hoped that he saves the bears not only from humans, but from themselves.
These descriptions of Herzog’s works raise the questions of
why he chooses to commemorate these people
and their moments. Did he have an impossible dream that was not fulfilled and
thus he tries to reach satisfaction through others’ experiences? Does he
experience a “conflict with nature” through his impossible dream? Does
Treadwell represent a manifestation of Herzog as he views himself?
Grizzly Man is the only work of Herzog that I have watched and I did not believe it. His attempt to create suspense in the movie is transparent and thus diminishes its effect. It also appears that he forced some of the scenes to fit together. As in the scene where Treadwell’s ex-girlfriend observes Herzog as he listens to the tape containing the last sounds of Treadwell and Amie Hunguenard. Their interaction seems unnatural and his statement that she should not ever listen to that recording appears coerced. Though Treadwell is a “character” for his own, it seems as if Herzog tried to portrait him in a very particular way, emphasizing his conflict and demonstrating how he brought his death on himself.
I love the quotes from secondary sources that you found, especially the one about attempting to change nature but ultimately being overwhelmed by it. In both the NPR interview and the documentary itself, Herzog mentioned how he believes the common denominator of nature is chaos and murder. It seems very possible that he edits most of his work to reflect this belief.
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