Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog Embrace 3-D

Posted by on April 16th, 2010   Filed under: Documentary, Fantasy, Technology
Source: Variety

scorseseherzog3d

Is this the beginning of the end? I’m sad to report that the last bastion of hope in the world of film may have finally given way, as two of the most respected filmmakers currently working today have decided to step up and use 3-D technology on their upcoming projects. Martin Scorsese recently confirmed that his next movie, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, will be shot in 3-D. Scorsese had previously hinted that he was interested in working with 3-D and, believe it or not, he was quoted as saying that even movies like Precious should be in 3-D. I think that might be a stretch, but seeing as Hugo Cabret is a family-friendly adventure flick, the use of 3-D doesn’t seem entirely inappropriate.

What’s more surprising is that German director Werner Herzog, that brave soldier of cinema, is also working on a 3-D movie himself. The subject matter, however, is classic Herzog. According to Roger Ebert, he is currently shooting a documentary on 32,000 year old cave paintings. In 3-D. Yep, this will probably not be a blockbuster on the scale of Avatar, but I could see it being one of those IMAX films that ends up playing at museums. Obviously I’m being somewhat sarcastic about this being “the beginning of the end”, because I think if anything it is these kinds of projects that will ultimately prove the worth of 3-D filmmaking. With legendary directors like Scorsese and Herzog exploring new applications for the technology, perhaps it will finally be seen as a valid creative tool for telling stories on the big screen.



  • KeithTalent

    Actually this is really the only stuff I would have any desire to see in 3D. Give me a director that makes interesting films and can use the 3D as an added element to enhance things with their films and I’ll be interested, otherwise I don’t give a crap and I am sure as hell not going to pay the extra 5+ dollars for it.

    Imagine what Herzog would have done with Bad Lieutenant in 3D. Now that is something I would pay extra to see.

  • Rusty

    When Lars Von Trier embraces 3D then I will truly know the end is nigh.

  • We still have Quentin and PTA.

  • kyriacos

    Nice..

    I mean why not? you know.. sometimes is good to try something different here and there..
    Like jay said 3d is just yet another trick in the endless moviemaking book it only depends on how you use it ..

    Now after seeing Shutter Island … I am sure Martin can blow our minds away with a good 3d movie..

    In contrary i must say i am a bit disappointed with Aronofky abandoning the Robocob project just to snob 3d…

  • kyriacos

    I REALY wanna travel forward in time right now and lay my dirty little fingers all over that appealing Herzog documentary…

  • Brendan

    I’ve been waiting to see if we’ll get other genres other than animation and action in 3d. When I saw Avatar, I was impressed with how some of the non-action scenes drew me in based solely on the 3d, almost as if I was in the same room with the actors. That’s the sort of immmersive feeling that might be used in dramatic films to further help connect the viewer with the characters.

  • If its done well then its for the better I guess. As long as it isn’t a Hollywood toy to earn more.

  • Mrespony

    This is what 3D needs more of to win my extra few coins. The Herzog doc sounds great.

  • Eisensammler

    Herzog seems rather sceptical about 3D as a new standard. “It will only work for the firework events like Avatar” apparrantly because it tires the eyes.
    http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/04/the_ecstary_of_the_filmmaker_h.html

  • drewsifer

    Honestly as long as we are given the choice between a 2d and a 3d version whats the big fucking deal. God knows 2d films aren’t going to disappear so lets embrace something that may be saving the theater experience.

  • Jack

    There Could be a bright side to this…perhaps this will give rise to a fresh groundswell of Indie film making. If the Studios go whole hog into 3-D there are going to be a whole bunch of talented people locked out of film making due to high budgets of these 3-D films. I think there will be a new found appreciation for good old fashion low tech films from the public.

  • Marc

    I’m not sure about the rest of you but Shutter Island would have been awesome in 3d, and no I’m not being sarcastic.

  • Shutter Island would NOT have been awesome in 3D (at least IMO).

    So far I have yet to see a film that needed the gimmick of 3D to actually make it work at all – or even better. Train Your Dragon was fantastic in 2D and would’ve just been distracting and more expensive to see in 3D.

    I respect Scorsese immensely – his films are hit or miss with me, but I still respect them. But saying “Precious” should’ve been in 3D is… unbelievable; in every sense of the word. If he actually said it as it appears out of context and was totally serious, a lot of that respect I had for him just went right out the window. Maybe he and Cameron should get together and “retrofit” Bonnie and Clyde in 3D. Morons.

  • Steve

    I’m still not sure where the luddite anti-3D position came from. I think 3D is a great tool when used tastefully and without gimmicks (eg “oohhh! hand coming at me!” gags). In fact, the ‘genre’ I’m interested in seeing a transition will be documentaries. A fully 3D, 1080 Blu Ray of any of Attenborough’s adventures is most pleasing.

  • jw

    I’m not a luddite, i’m just someone who loves cinema as it is.
    Would the Mona Lisa be improved if it was in 3-D?