Review of Fata Morgana (1972) by Kenneth B — 06 May 2011

This early Herzog effort feels like more of an experiment than a fully formed exercise. Virtually all of the visuals are tracking shots of the Sahara edited together. The narration is mainly of a creationist myth which is sporadically and rather obscurely interrupted by Leonard Cohen songs, from Songs Of Leonard Cohen as it happens. There are some interesting visuals but their repetitive nature does become tedious, art or not. In addition to this the creationist angle is at best a loose fit. Perhaps that is open to interpretation.

It is clear from this that Herzog was a film-maker who was out to break from the norm which he should be praised for in a way. It would perhaps take a while for his talents to bear fruit. I'll see because up until now all I have seen of his is the excellent Grizzly Man. I'll be experiencing more of his work over the coming weeks.