********************************************

German film master Werner Herzog is one of the most gifted filmmakers with works encompassing a realm of ideologies. His debut "Signs of Life" was honoured with the Silver Bear Award at the 1968 Berlin Film Festival and thereafter signified the emergence of the New German Cinema. Ten classics including "Signs of Life", "The Enigma of Kasper Hauser" and his latest work "Invincible", which present the director's signature style of ironic allegory delivered in various executions, will be showcased from October 21 to 29 at the Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema, and from November 1 to 3 at the Science Museum Lecture Hall.

Herzog's uniqueness lies in his constant collaboration with some notorious actors, and working on unthinkable subjects rarely touched by others. The legendary director has been equally outstanding in delivering dramas and documentaries. His films cover a wide variety of themes and elements with breathtaking panoramas of nature, the glory and disgrace of mythical heroes, dwarfs, autistic patients and even Hercules.

Born in Munich, Herzog discovered his strong passion in film at an early stage. Without financial funding from any film company, he set up his own production house to realize his aspiration. His strong enthusiasm had motivated him to keep a job in a smelter to earn money for his shoots.

Jointly presented with the Goethe-Institut Inter-Nationes Hong Kong, "Werner Herzog - Signs of Life" is part of a series of retrospective film programmes "Repertory Cinema - A Spectrum of Film Classics and Masters" organised by the Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Curated by Mr Law Wai-ming, the programme is also one of the highlights in MAX!2002. Works of two other film directors Robert Bresson and Rainer Werner Fassbinder will be featured respectively in November and December.

The opening film "Invincible" (2001) is Herzog's latest creation based on a true story in the 1930's. A Polish-Jew is enlisted to play the strongman for a circus-revue in a club owned by Nazi on condition that he should disguise as a Weimar civilian. Hercules gradually finds his German disguise unbearably insulting. The decision to resume his original Jewish identity leads to a situation beyond anyone's control.

Also based on a true story, "The Enigma of Kasper Hauser" (1974) brought Herzog instant international fame of being the winner of the Special Prize of the Jury at Cannes Film Festival 1975. Kasper Hauser has been chained in a cellar for a long time. His inability to communicate led him to be treated as an insane person. None of the scientists, theologians and musicians could find out his enigmatic background. He is later murdered and his body is being anatomized. The film is full of sarcasm and embitterment about the conventional society.

Described by the renowned German film critic Lotte Eisner as "a romantic spirit inspired by German silents", Herzog's first feature film "Signs of Life" (1967) brought him significant national recognition. A German soldier is assigned to a lonely island to guide an ammunition depot. Life becomes a deadly boredom and he produces explosives to kill time. One day, he is so distributed by the sights of giant windmills that he finally goes berserk. Herzog depicts the intense tension between nature and individuals in a magnificent way.

Awarded the prize of the German Film Critique 1978, "Stroszek" is a rare piece of Herzog's work filled with the elements of road movie and country music. The film portrays the tragic life of a street musician who hopes to establish his new life in the States after falling in love with a prostitute. He works hard for the ideal life but instead his lover elopes with a truck-driver, leaving him in debts and despair. Herzog links the tragedy closely with human civilization and the unknown realm of the supernatural. The film will be screened together with "Lessons of Darkness" (1992) which is a documentary filled with poetic shots, revealing the catastrophe of Kuwait after Gulf War.

An epic production on war, "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" (1972) has gained acclaims for the brilliant cooperation between Herzog and the arrogant, unapproachable actor Klaus Kinski. A troop of Spanish conquistadors landed in Peru in 1560 and was seriously injured by Peru's strike back. Possessed with lust of power, Aguirre insisted going down the Amazon in despair. The stunning photography, the overwhelming nature with its endless waterways as well as the performance of Kinski lent the film its immaculate quality. It was nominated for the Best Foreign Film, Cesar Awards of France 1976. Kinski had become Herzog's favourite actor since "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" and they partnered in four films. "My Best Friend" (1999) documented the dramatic relations of the weird pair and was nominated for the Best Documentary Award, European Film Awards 1999.

The owner of the glasswork and a prophecy are both put in jail for the same accident. Is the encounter a display of mystery of fate, or a revelation of signs of life? "Heart of Glass" (1976) is an impressive work and the more controversial part is, the cast was in a state of hypnosis during the shoot - that elevated the atmosphere of prophecy and visionary to a new level. The film won the Golden Prize for Best Camera, German Film Awards 1977.

In the interesting documentary "Land of Silence and Darkness" (1971), Herzog dives into the world of Fini Straubinger, a blind and deaf lady who devotes all her efforts in helping those in need. Through Herzog's light and delicate tone of expression, audiences get access to the lives of those being discriminated.

All screenings at the "Werner Herzog - Signs of Life" are with English subtitles except "Invincible" which is in English with Chinese subtitles. "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" and "Stroszek" also have Chinese subtitles.

Tickets for the "Repertory Cinema" screenings are priced at $50 each and will be available for sale at all URBTIX outlets from September 21. Half-priced concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. A 10% discount will be offered for each purchase of at least three screenings or five to seven tickets in the same classic series and 20% discount for at least five screenings or eight tickets and above in the same classic series as well as Manhattan id card members.

Enquiries can be made at 2734 2900 or browsing the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp. Reservations can be made at 2734 9009 and internet booking at www.urbtix.gov.hk.

End/Wednesday, September 18, 2002

NNNN