Werner Herzog's Unstoppable Creative Force at 82: Venice, Elephants, and Instagram Debut

Werner Herzog BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Werner Herzog’s latest week has been a testament to his ongoing influence and productivity in world cinema. The 82-year-old director accepted the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the opening night of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The honor, determined by the board of La Biennale upon the recommendation of artistic director Alberto Barbera, recognizes Herzog’s historic contributions and his tireless drive to pursue new cinematic territory. In his acceptance speech, Herzog thanked the festival and the film world, yet emphasized he was far from finished, stating he had just completed a documentary in Africa titled Ghost Elephants, is currently filming Bucking Fastard in Ireland, developing an animated film based on his novel The Twilight World, and providing a creature’s voice for Bong Joon Ho’s upcoming animation. “I am not done yet,” he declared, underscoring a creative stamina that seems to defy age as reported by La Biennale di Venezia.

The award presentation itself became its own cinematic event, featuring Francis Ford Coppola, who returned to the spotlight following recent heart surgery specifically to honor Herzog. Coppola introduced Herzog as “an encyclopedia” and “an unlimited phenomenon working in every nook and corner in cinema.” He further teased, “If Werner has limits, I don’t know what they are,” and even pledged to eat his hat if someone could match Herzog’s achievements, a nod to their famously epic filmmaking exploits. Herzog, visibly moved, recalled Coppola’s generosity during the making of Fitzcarraldo, when Coppola hosted him as a struggling screenwriter in San Francisco, illustrating the genuine camaraderie between these two legends, as covered by Screen Daily and High on Films.

On the film front, National Geographic announced the acquisition of Herzog’s documentary Ghost Elephants, which had its world premiere at Venice and will later play at Telluride. This film sees Herzog and National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes searching for Africa’s elusive ghost elephants. Herzog described the beauty of capturing these animals “like a dream of an elephant” during press at the festival. Ghost Elephants will stream on Disney Plus and Hulu in 2026, as announced by ABC News and National Geographic.

Not to be missed, Herzog also made a splash on social media by finally creating his official Instagram account this week. In his first-ever post, Herzog appears grilling a steak, explaining that while he has always shunned the media and cell phones, he felt compelled to share his “work and everyday things,” as reported by IMDb and echoed by Threads and other outlets. The launch of his Instagram quickly went viral, with fans and industry figures alike sharing clips and memes of Herzog’s first video.

Amid these headline events, Herzog remained publicly active. He participated in a festival masterclass where he famously dished out unconventional filmmaking advice—suggesting aspiring directors needed to be “borderline criminals” in their resourcefulness—a philosophy he claims has fueled his relentless productivity as covered by Variety and Dark Horizons.

This week, Herzog’s biographical legacy shone through both in prestigious recognition and in his steadfast refusal to slow down, as he continues to launch new projects across continents and media, confirming once again that “retirement” is a concept for someone else.

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