Shout! Studios Acquires Exclusive U.S. Distribution Rights To Wavelength Doc, “Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer”

Emmy Award-winning film production company Wavelength has announced that Shout! Studios has acquired the exclusive U.S. distribution rights to its feature documentary, WERNER HERZOG: RADICAL DREAMER. It is the first and only documentary on the legendary auteur Werner Herzog, co-produced with Oscar®-nominated and Emmy-winning production company, Spring Films, and German production studio, 3B. 

The film world premiered at Telluride Film Festival in 2022 for Herzog’s 80th birthday, debuted its 90 minute version at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SIBFF) in February, and played at IDFA and CPH:DOX.

“We are thrilled to bring this story to US audiences. It is the only full access documentary on the iconic filmmaking pioneer that is Werner Herzog”, shares Wavelength Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer Jenifer Westphal. “This isn’t just another Hollywood biopic. It’s a rare and unmatched look into Werner’s life and creative process. It truly is a great story and it's been an honor to have been entrusted to tell Werner’s story the right way.”

Herzog personally selected fellow German filmmaker, Thomas von Steinaecker to write and direct the documentary which presents a comprehensive portrait of an iconic artist of our time and features interviews with Robert Pattinson, Nicole Kidman, Chloé Zhao, Christian Bale, and more. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access into Herzog’s everyday life, rare and never-before-seen archival material and in-depth interviews with the man himself and celebrated collaborators, we are given an exciting glimpse into his process and personal life.

“As the North American home of Werner Herzog’s catalog, we are thrilled to distribute this profoundly thoughtful and entertaining look at one of cinema’s true titans. Thomas von Steinaecker’s intriguing film will be catnip for Herzog’s longtime fans, but it’s also a broadly appealing introduction to colorful history and fascinating artistic process of a pop culture icon,” stated Jordan Fields, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Originals.

Named one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time, Herzog is an Academy Award-nominated trailblazer of New German Cinema. He is a film director, screenwriter, author, actor, and opera director best known for his unusual filmmaking process. His credits include GRIZZLY MAN, JACK REACHER, FITZCARRALDO, AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD, and more.  He is the man who had a 320-ton steamboat hauled over a steep hill in Peru, who hypnotizes his actors, climbs down into volcanoes, talks to murderers on death row, cooks and eats his own shoe and was shot at. He’s the man who lends his voice to The Simpsons, stars in blockbusters such as THE MANDALORIAN and THE MAN - who in a sort of magical act - walked from Munich to Paris to prevent the death of a woman film critic he greatly admired. It is stories such as these that have made this remarkable director a cult figure the world over.

Wavelength is an award-winning New York-based film production company helmed by Emmy-winning filmmakers Jenifer Westphal and Joe Plummer. The duo is best known for both supporting stories that highlight little-known or under-recognized communities as well as championing significant tastemakers and individuals of cultural impact. Recent projects include ON SWIFT HORSES starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Diego Calva And Sasha Calle and RATHER which will world premiere at Tribeca Festival as part of the Spotlight+ category.

Range Select’s Jessica Lacy is representing the project.