Herdsmen of the Sun (Wodaabe - Die Hirten der Sonne)
Dir: Werner Herzog
1989
*****
Werner Herzog is the ultimate documentarian. He always seems to reach those far away places that no one has heard of before or since. The Wodaabe tribe are a fascinating people, here Werner explores their courtship rituals and male 'beauty pageants'. When interviewed, or should I say observed, in conversation, they are perfectly normal and speak to each other as many do in the western world but it's their way of courting that many will be shocked by and makes this as watchable as it is. It's interesting to see and also to be appalled by their vanity and the way they show off their possessions but interesting in comparison as we in the west are a million times worse and yet it isn't shocking when we behave the same way. Herzog is such a great director that he doesn't even need to mention what is perfectly obvious to all. The ending is very touching and is a perfect way to leave the story, 'I choose you with my heart'.