The second feature film from acclaimed art-house Director
Werner Herzog, 1970’s Even Dwarfs Started
Small is an extremely weird metaphor for Western Society set in a world in
which everyone is a dwarf. On a remote Mediterranean Island
sits an asylum in which the inmates have taken control. With their leader held
hostage by the Director inside the building, the inmates cause havoc outside,
gleefully smashing windows, killing animals, burning plants, teasing the two
blind inmates and abandoning a van which drives around and around in circles.
I’m a big fan of Herzog’s but haven’t enjoyed all of his
films. Even Dwarfs Started Small is
an example of a film that I did enjoy but I’m not totally sure why. My mouth
was agape as the strange actions unfolded and it makes for compelling viewing.
The fact that every actor is a dwarf helps to add to the strangeness but even
had the actors been of average height, this film would still rank as one of the
craziest and unusual films I’ve seen.
Herzog creates a world which acts as a microcosm for our
own. His theory is that the inmates have been given the key to the asylum and
the ninety minute film is Herzog’s version of what he sees on a larger scale
throughout the world as well as what is inside all of us. Violence, needless
teasing and killing as well as sexual frustration are all themes which are
explored here. The van being driven around and around in circles also seems to
be a very apt metaphor for Herzog’s view of society. The Director gets all of
this across while creating an engaging and fascinating film. There isn’t really
much of a plot or arc to the story and instead the grounds of the institution
simply become more and more unruly from beginnings in which the cast bang on
doors to the end in which windows are smashed, debris is strewn about the
ground, animals lay dead and a monkey is crucified. Law and order spirals ever
downward until there is little left to destroy.
The actors are generally impressive. Although they often act
as one cruel mass, each has his or her own personality. One of them acts as a
de-faco leader, there is one who takes a step back and chooses to watch rather
than get involved and others have their place on a sliding scale of authority
and destructiveness. Herzog gets some unusual performances from his actors and
in one instance told an actor that he must under no circumstances laugh and
then pulled funny faces at him off camera. The result is a realistic and crazy
performance. Later the same actor has genuine fear on his face when windows
start smashing all around him. On set one of the actors was hurt twice; first
run over by the circling van and later set on fire. Herzog promised that if no
one else was injured for the remainder of the shoot that he would jump into a
cactus. He famously kept his word and once the shoot had wrapped, jumped into a
cactus patch leaving spikes imbedded in his skin for years.
Even Dwarfs Started
Small is an interesting film which shows Herzog’s attitudes to what is
inside all of us and what can happen when or instincts are left to come out. Occasionally
it sags and is a little confusing at the beginning but once you get into it, it
is a fascinating depiction of society featuring some great performances and
nice direction. I have a problem with the way animals are treated and are
unsure whether it was clever filming or real cruelty. It won’t be for everybody
but if you don’t mind something on the existential side then it is a must
watch.
7/10
Titbits
- The scenes of a car driving around in circles was copied in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later.
- As well as promising to jump into a cactus field, Herzog famously told a film student that he'd eat his shoe if the student completed his film. The film was completed and Herzog kept his promise. The act was filmed for 1980s Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe.
- The sparce soundtrack features this unusual song but I can't find its name anywhere.
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