My Best Fiend

My Best Fiend is a German documentary film released in 1999. It was written, directed, and narrated by Werner Herzog, sharing the complex and volatile relationship biography with the actor Klaus Kinski. The movie is profoundly insightful, interweaving memories, film clips, and interviews to cast a light on the intricate bond between Herzog and Kinski - one tinged with friendship and fury, camaraderie and chaos.

Werner Herzog, the man often heralded as a trailblazer in the world of New German Cinema, chronicles his turbulent yet eventful relationship with Klaus Kinski. He illustrates his relationship with Kinski not as a smooth sailing collaboration but as a tumultuous amalgamation of conflict, drama, and a certain twisted sense of friendship, thereby justifying the film's title 'My Best Fiend' which cleverly oscillates between 'fiend' and 'friend.'

Klaus Kinski is most familiar to audiences for his powerhouse performances in five of Herzog's films. Their tumultuous relationship was filled with copious disagreements and confrontations, making them one of the most dynamically volatile pairs in cinematic history. According to Herzog, Kinski was a man of extreme emotions – deep lows followed by manic highs. And it's this very temperament that Herzog attempts to analyze and understand through this documentary.

The film takes us on a journey into their shared past, resurrecting the shooting locations of the classics they worked on together. From the epic landscape of Peru where they filmed "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" and "Fitzcarraldo," to the Gothic war-zone of Prague during the filming of "Nosferatu," Herzog leads us through a cinematic pilgrimage. These journeys back in time serve not just as a walk down memory lane, but also as an exploration of the transformative power struggles between a director and his main actor.

The documentary also features interviews from other individuals who experienced Kinski's unruly behavior first hand. There's actress Claudia Cardinale who co-starred in Fitzcarraldo and offers her perspective on Kinski's on-set ravings and the director’s extraordinary indulgence of such volatility. Footage from on-set and behind-the-scenes also reveal Kinski's explosive temper and erratic behavior juxtaposed with his moments of creativity, thus revealing the multi-faceted persona that was Klaus Kinski.

Although Kinski passed away in 1991, his memory and influence are prominently felt throughout My Best Fiend. His explosive performances, equally explosive off-screen temperaments, and his vaguely hinted-at softer sides make up an integral part of Herzog's film. Despite the tumultuous encounters, heated exchanges, and almost lethal confrontations, the viewer is left with an undeniable sense that Herzog respected and admired Kinski for his raw talent and passion.

In the course of the film, Herzog tries to unravel the enigma that Klaus Kinski was, examining the darker aspects of their relationship with a stint of humor. There are intriguing anecdotes, including occasions where they admittedly plotted to kill each other. Yet, these stories are sketched out with a strange sense of affection, hinting that despite all the animosity, there was an underlying bond of admiration and respect that tied these two extraordinary personalities together.

It is not just an ode to their collective body of work, but it’s an exploration of the exceptional bond between two diametrically opposite individuals – one possesses a volcanic temper while the other is calm and composed - who gave life to some of the most critically acclaimed films in the history of cinema. This documentary serves as a testament to their bizarre relationship and sheds light on the fine line that exists between creative genius and insanity.

My Best Fiend is more than just a documentary. It's an exploration of a unique bond that transcends the usual definitions of friendship and working relationships. It is an epic chronicle of an infamous pairing, an illustration of the psychological battles endured behind the screen, and a testimony to how endurance, mutual respect, and the quest for cinematic perfection can create a partnership like no other. Herzog's heartfelt narration and his deeply human portrayal of Kinski make this film a touching homage to a unique friendship and a must-see for cinema enthusiasts.