An Unfortunate Dispute Between Directors Abel Ferrara and Werner Herzog

They are very different filmmakers. Abel Ferrara is known as a master of trash cinema, often utilizing sex and violence to illustrate the depravity of his characters and settings. Werner Herzog is known as a quirky documentarian, recently directing two of his most accessible films, "Grizzly Man" and "Rescue Dawn" (the latter being a fictional film based on Herzog's previous documentary, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly").

"Bad Lieutenant" is the conflict. Ferrara directed the 1992 original with Harvey Keitel starring as a perverse cop finally seeking redemption by investigating the rape of a nun. The film was obviously personal for Ferrara, and he held nothing back. "Bad Lieutenant" was rated NC-17 for theaters, and five minutes were cut from the theatrical cut so that Blockbuster would carry it.

Ferrara's comments on everyone involved in Herzog's planned remake of "Bad Lieutenant" were blunt: "I hope they're all in the same streetcar, and it blows up." Ferrara also said he would fight to stop the remake from happening.

Herzog was then interviewed by Defamer.com. Among his responses to Ferrara's anger:

"Let him fight. He thinks I'm doing a remake."

"It [Herzog's film] has nothing to with his [Ferrara's] film. But let him rave and rant; it's good music in the background."

"I've never seen a film by him. I have no idea who he is. Is he Italian? Is he French? Who is he?"

"Maybe I could invite him to act in a movie. Except I don't know what he looks like."

As an admirer of both filmmakers, I am disappointed if these words are true. But honestly, I understand Ferrara's position more than Herzog's.

Here is a common promotional image of Ferrara's film. Pay special attention to the font style of the title. Now glance at a poster (scroll down to first image in article) of Herzog's film used at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

I understand Herzog when he says he is not doing a remake. If he is telling the truth, he has not seen Ferrara's version. Instead of New York, Herzog is taking the story to New Orleans. Plus, Nicolas Cage will star in Herzog's picture, and he has little in common with Keitel as a performer.

But look at the posters again. If Herzog is not filming a remake, why are the title fonts of the posters so similar? Why is he filming a penis scene with Cage? Is he not aware Keitel's penis was shown in the original? Herzog keeps saying this is not a remake, but it bears obvious similarities with the original.

Herzog claims he does not understand the passion behind Ferrara's frustration. It is puzzling a director like Herzog, who has given us so much work about people and their creative obsessions, cannot understand why Ferrara would be upset over a movie with the same name as his own starring Cage, who has performed in mainstream remakes in the past ("Gone in Sixty Seconds" and "The Wicker Man").

Admittedly, Ferrara went too far wishing death on everyone involved in Herzog's film, but as far I know, he has not specifically attacked Herzog.

Apparently, the title of Herzog's film has been expanded to "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans." This is a right step for Herzog. Still, I doubt Ferrara will be satisfied.

Of course, knowing the controversial Ferrara and witty Herzog, this fight could be a hoax. If not, an unfortunate and unnecessary dispute between two gifted artists.