Werner Herzog

A bit like Marmite, you either love his work or hate it.

Herzog has made his name as a prominent figure in German cinema's "new wave". In one camp are those who regard him as some kind of poetic genius and across in the other camp are those who see him as a self-indulgent bluffer.

Born in Germany in 1942, Herzog had to work in a steel factory to generate the cash needed to set up his own production company and start making films.

Notable films that earned Herzog his reputation as an 'interesting' director include Nosferatu (1979) which was his interpretation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, also Aguirre, The Wrath Of God (1972) and Fitzcarraldo (1982).

The latter two films were both set in the Peruvian jungle and as such are indicative of his use of impressive landscapes and natural wonders.

The narratives and themes in his films are often not as impressive, despite his concern with authentic experience as the basis for his stories.

Fitzcarraldo was his last film of an epic nature and he has not had a film on wide release since - which is hardly surprising given that making the film turned into such a nightmare for the director.

First off, he had the logistical problem of hauling a huge steamboat over a mountain, then he found himself in the middle of a border dispute between Peru and Ecuador which meant he had to move location.

Then Jack Nicholson backed out before filming even began, his replacement Warren Oates bailed at the last minute.

Jason Robards contracted amoebic dysentery halfway through filming and then Mick Jagger had to withdraw to prepare for a concert tour. Thankfully his friend, the eccentric Klaus Kinski, saved the day.

But at least the hassle was worth it... he won Best Director for Fitzcarraldo at The Cannes Film Festival in 1982 and the film was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at The BAFTAs the following year.

Since the Fitzcarraldo experience, Herzog has been concentrating mainly on documentaries and short films, including the highly acclaimed The Ballad Of The Little Soldier (1984) and The Green Glow Of The Mountains (1984).

Ten Thousand Years Older (2002) can also be included in this category, as a ten minute documentary about a Brazilian rainforest tribe whose lifestyle and culture have been pushed forward by ten thousand years.