At the Venice Film Festival, renowned German director Werner Herzog expressed strong reservations about the terminology surrounding mental health and identity in modern cinema. Known for crafting complex outsider figures in films such as ‘Aguirre, the Wrath of God,’ ‘Fitzcarraldo,’ and documentaries featuring Timothy Treadwell, Herzog has long explored themes of monomaniacal obsession.
However, he drew a clear line when asked if such characters might serve as role models for the contemporary neurodiversity movement. ‘I don’t like the term neurodivergence and ADHD, or whatever – it sounds like political correctness, which scares me under the table,’ Herzog stated bluntly.
The comments came during discussions about his upcoming project ‘Bucking Fastard,’ which stars sisters Kate and Rooney Mara. Despite his criticism of modern ideological labels, Herzog acknowledged his growing popularity on social media platforms like Instagram, a medium that contrasts sharply with his traditional, rugged cinematic aesthetic.
Herzog’s perspective highlights an ongoing tension between classic auteur filmmaking and current cultural discourses around identity and inclusivity. While his previous works have celebrated eccentric visionaries, the director insists that applying modern diagnostic or political frameworks to such figures misrepresents their nature.
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