Name: Theater of Thought
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2024-12-13
Duration: 1 h 47 min
Rating: 7
Cast: Rafael Yuste

Not one of Herzog's great films but still has plenty to think and feel about

This includes some of the most fascinating interviews of Herzog's career. It also features.... Philippe Petit the daredevil tightrope walker who crossed the World Trade Center towers in the 70s (of course they're friends) and a guy who writes and performs songs about how the brain works, and those didn't have as much bearing on the rest of the film despite the connections to ideas involving fear or the lack of it. There are a couple of instances where, forgive the phrase, my mind wandered.

But my criticism of those few minutes doesn't take away too much from how much insight and inquiry - and as has to be in science what's most thrilling is what we don't fully know yet, or what is on the precipice or being - and seeing things like how nerve science has led to Parkinsons sufferers being able to walk mostly normal again or that potential technology of the brain implants that can help (some of) the blind to see again, it makes for a unique documentary experience.

I especially loved the interview with the husband and wife scientist couple (of course they try to talk about anything but science at dinner) and how remarkable something as seemingly common now for brain surgeons as removing pain from one's body is in our day and age. Overall what I got from Herzog's questions, the answers, and his own musings is that he still remains "mystified" by how the mind works and what "theater" our minds make.

This is not some grim spectacle like some of you may expect from this director; there's hope and heart and what possibilities science has for us, whether it is brain surgery or the study of tiny organisms on a dish, it's Herzog at his most humanistic while investigating the known and unknown and yet to be known.

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

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Herzog casts his gaze on the human brain, looking for clues as to why a piece of tissue can produce deep thoughts and feelings, while also considering the philosophical, ethical and social implications.

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Theater of Thought

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