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| Klaus Kinski in a deadly attack on the poster for Werner Herzog's Cobra Verde |
QUICK REVIEW:
The movie follows the myth and atrocities of the bandit Cobra Verde in Brazil, before he gets sent to West-Africa in order to restart the slave trade.
Cobra Verde is based on a Bruce Chatwin (The Songlines (1987)) novel from 1980, written and directed by the great German director Werner Herzog (The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974)). It marks his last collaboration with the notorious German actor Klaus Kinski (Fitzcarraldo (1982)), whom he used as his lead actor in a string of wild films.
The film is abstract at times and yet very literary in its feel. It is marred by its dubbing (both to English and German versions by other actors) as well as Herzog and Kinski's deep fascination with Kinski, who wells over as a manic poseur at times.
Cobra Verde is still an interesting experience, mainly for its rich images. It was shot in Brazil, Ghana and Columbia and features often grotesque depictions of Africa and the Africans and sometimes reaches a visual poetry in effect. - Cobra Verde is nothing if not a dark and deeply strange film!
Herzog and Kinski's both friendly and hostile relationship couldn't bear anymore of Kinski's outbursts of wrath after Cobra Verde, in which the original cinematographer left the film due to Kinski's abuse and had to be replaced. Kinski died four years after Cobra Verde, and his relationship with Herzog was later explored in the fine documentary My Best Fiend (1999).
Related reviews:
Werner Herzog: Jack Reacher (2012) - Highly entertaining, dark hero-vehicle for Tom Cruise (as actor)
The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans/Bad Lieutenant (2009) or, Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant
Watch an English trailer here
Cost: Unknown
Box office: Unknown
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What do you think of Cobra Verde?
What is your favorite Herzog-Kinski-collaboration and why?
If you have any insight into Herzog and Kinski, feel free to share a comment
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