Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

This short really questioned and brought into focus the power of the ritual of ingestion. So many people seemed so fascinated with the idea of ingestion of something demarcated as not food-- and perhaps more than that, the followthrough of Werner Herzog. The process of cooking is validated periodically by Herzog, and it seemed a rational metaphor for process and reward. Not only does cooking stress a logic of creation, it also exists as a product which is greater than the sum of its parts. Here, Herzog has become the chef master again, pulling a simple bet into the realm of symbolism by the sheer force of his dedication. If an act is so important to him, then the audience is forced to pay attention. This self-sacrifice is used as a platform to advertise a film as well a fulfill a promise to a friend.

I also really enjoyed Herzog's reaction to this action and a previous one of jumping into a cactus being called "self-sacrificial". For him it was merely reciprocation. The lillt people gave him their performance and he gave them a laugh. This is a masochism of quid pro quo, not one of charity or martyrdom. It is a very sweet gesture, and one performed after as payment owed.