In keeping a vow to Errol Morris, Werner Herzog eats his shoe. He takes his boots to Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California and stuffs and seasons them, with Chef Alice Waters adding duck fat and rosemary.

Herzog promised to eat his shoe if Morris completed the documentary Gates of Hell. Herzog eats the shoe at the premiere at Berkeley’s UC Theatre. Herzog describes Gates of Hell as “The only film on love and late capitalism – the only film on loss, of degenerations of feelings, very purely done, and mature.”

Les Blank captures more of Herzog’s most fun thoughts: about how he hates talk shows, and how one must steal for art, and the inevitable process of becoming a clown, and being open to foolishness.

Lastly, this important quote: “Our civilization is going to die out if we don’t develop new images – I see it as a very dramatic situation.”

Herzogian bliss!

21 minutes, free on Kanopy.