'Happy People' before Herzog

December 27, 2014 7:46 PM

Werner Herzog's 'Happy People' is less a film made by Werner Herzog than a film sculpted by Werner Herzog, as he selected and subsequently narrated ninety-four minutes of material taken from Dmitry Vasyukov's four-hour documentary of the same name. Vasyukov's four episodes, by season: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. (SLYTs)
posted by mr. digits (10 comments total)

I watched Happy People on Netflix just recently. One thing that impressed me was the way the trappers live with their dogs. That's the relationship we had with dogs for thousands of years, I bet.
posted by Archer25 at 8:04 PM on December 27, 2014 [5 favorites]

I watched Happy People a couple of years ago during a brutal stretch of summer heat. It was just the thing. Thanks for the links to the footage of the other seasons.
posted by mudpuppie at 8:27 PM on December 27, 2014

What great timing. I just watched Happy People yesterday!
posted by I-Write-Essays at 10:40 PM on December 27, 2014

I've watched Happy People twice now. It's an incredibly soothing film. I don't want to live that life, but I'm really glad there are people who do.
posted by MrVisible at 10:57 PM on December 27, 2014

I watched this last year. Wonderful film, the pace of that life has a rhythm that we've forgotten and I think we could do with recovering some of it.
posted by arcticseal at 11:19 PM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]

When I get nostalgic about some simpler and more honest imaginary past, I have to remind myself that for most people, that past looked more like poverty in Game of Thrones - insecure, unpredictable, and brutal. Then I watch this and resume fantasizing about that bucolic communal life I keep meaning to escape to.
posted by tempythethird at 1:16 AM on December 28, 2014 [1 favorite]

I have to remind myself that for most people, that past looked more like poverty in Game of Thrones

Poverty in Game of Thrones looks like it does in large part because of all the Throne People stomping across the landscape with their Gaming armies. And the fucked up seasons.
posted by localroger at 5:35 AM on December 28, 2014

One thing that impressed me was the way the trappers live with their dogs.

Many years ago we went to a film about people trying to live a traditional life around Thule, Greenland. One of the trappers was talking about his experiences traveling by dog sled in the dark of winter, and he talked about the vast landscapes, the sky, and the stars. And how the dogs' farts were like little clouds of poisonous gas that he had to pass through as they went.
posted by sneebler at 8:06 AM on December 28, 2014 [2 favorites]

These look great. Thanks for the links. Will watch the originals first before getting 'Herzoged.' Peeked at the beginning of 'Spring' and was immediately reminded of 'Derzu Uzala.' I think I'll need to re-watch that one too.
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 9:04 AM on December 28, 2014 [1 favorite]

Now I'm trying to dream up situations where I can say "Oh damn, you just got Herzog'd!"
posted by uosuaq at 4:08 PM on December 28, 2014