The Wheaton community was among the first to preview renown filmmaker Werner Herzog’s documentary “Encounters at the End of the World,” which was screened on campus last fall. Now that the film has been nominated for an Oscar, there is even more to celebrate.

February 3, 2009

Last fall, a long line of intrigued moviegoers wound around the curve of Wheaton's campus green in anticipation of renown German filmmaker Werner Herzog's screening of Encounters at the End of the World, a documentary about Antarctica.

The wait was more than worth it. It turns out that not only did they get to see a great film, they also were among the first few audiences to preview one of this year's Oscar-nominated films.

Encounters at the End of the World, which was written and directed by the award-winning filmmaker, has been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Documentary Feature category in the upcoming Academy Awards that will be presented Feb. 22.

Herzog, who has ventured to harsh and exotic locations such as the Alaskan wilderness, the depths of the Peruvian jungle and the heart of Antartica to pursue his work, said that he was equally excited to come to Norton, Mass., to show his film in Cole Memorial Chapel.

"A chapel like this filled with curious people, curious young people, that's what I love," he noted during a campus interview.

The Wheaton chapel, which over the years has served as everything from a place of quiet reflection to a spirited venue for symposia, was transformed into a premiere theatre with a large suspended screen and advanced sound system.

In addition to screening his documentary, the filmmaker spent time discussing his career with students in Associate Professor of Art and Film Jake Mahaffy's film production and screenwriting classes.

Herzog's visit involved students of his native Germany, too. Professor Reinhard Mayer of the German department, who organized a portion of the visit, invited Herzog into his classes and a German Club event. Professor Tessa Lee and students from the program interviewed the filmmaker during the event, which attracted students from Brandeis, Weslyan and Harvard. Professor Mayer also organized a month-long film series of Herzog's films to familiarize the campus community with the filmmaker's work. 

Herzog's visit was made possible through the Celeste Gottesman Bartos '35 Fund for the Visual Arts within the Evelyn Danzig Haas '39 Visiting Artists Program.

Mahaffy, a filmmaker himself, met Herzog through the distinguished Sundance Institute. Herzog, who considers himself "a quintessential self-made person," didn't see a movie until he was 11 years old, and he has had no professional filmmaking training. Yet, he has created over 40 films, including fictional and documentary features covering an astounding variety of themes. They include Grizzly Man, which won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005; Fitzcarraldo, which won the Alfred P. Sloane Priz at the Sundance Film Festival in 1982; Heart of Glass; and his most recent action drama Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale. The college's German Department sponsored a month-long film series of Herzog's films to familiarize the community with his work.

Mahaffy, who described Herzog as a dynamic character who has unbridled confidence in his work, said it is no wonder that he has accomplished so much as a filmmaker. "The themes of his films and his own eclectic interests make his work relevant across disciplines."

Herzog said that he has no explanation for the roots of his passion, likening it to that of a child with a talent for music who naturally gravitates toward an instrument.

For those drawn to film in the same way, he encouraged fearlessness: "Whatever your vision might be, you've got to have the courage for it and go out and do it."

He also urged students to bear witness to everything to be able to broaden the discourse in the entertainment media.

David Jaffe '11, screenwriting student and head of the Wheaton Film Society, said, "Meeting Herzog was inspirational; he truly taught me the delight of commitment and the joy of creating." His sentiments were mirrored by the chapel audience, who honored Herzog with a standing ovation.