EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Director Werner Herzog talks 'Into the Abyss'

Monday, 14 November 2011 14:13

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Opening in theaters on November 11th is a new documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Rescue Dawn, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans) called Into the Abyss. The film centers around two men convicted of a triple homicide that occurred in Texas, Michael Perry who received a death sentence for the crime, and Jason Burkett who received a life sentence. Herzog's documentary focuses on the two convicts and the various people affected by the crime.

IAR's managing editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with director Werner Herzog about his new documentary Into the Abyss. The iconic filmmaker spoke candidly about his new film, its compelling subject matter, the people he interviewed, living on death row, and his views on our nation's death penalty.

To watch our exclusive interview with director Werner Herzog about Into the Abyss, please click on the video player above.

SYNOPSIS:

In his fascinating exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas, master filmmaker Werner Herzog probes the human psyche to explore why people kill ... and why a state kills. In intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old death row inmate Michael Perry (scheduled to die within eight days of appearing on-screen), Herzog achieves what he deserves as "a gaze into the abyss os the human soul." Herzog's inquires also extended to the families of the victims and perpetrators as well as a state executioner and pastor who've been with death row prisoners as they've taken their final breaths. As he's so often done before, Herzog's investigation unveils layers of humanity, making an enlightening trip out of ominous territory.

Into the Abyss opens in theaters on November 11th.