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Werner Herzog Films Reinhold Messner on Guilt and Survival

other · 2026-07-29

In the fourth episode of the series "Reinhold Messner, l’ivresse des sommets," filmmaker Werner Herzog interviews mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner about the guilt he feels for surviving the 1970 Nanga Parbat tragedy, in which his younger brother Günther died. Herzog, known for exploring extreme psychological states, asks Messner directly: "Do you think you are crazy to do what you do?" The episode, part of Le Monde's summer series, airs on July 29, 2026, and examines Messner's psyche a decade after the Himalayan disaster.

Key facts

  • Reinhold Messner lost his younger brother Günther on Nanga Parbat in 1970
  • Werner Herzog interviews Messner about survival guilt
  • Episode 4 of series 'Reinhold Messner, l’ivresse des sommets'
  • Herzog asks Messner if he thinks he is crazy
  • Series published by Le Monde as summer series
  • Episode airs on July 29, 2026
  • Herzog is known for exploring extreme psychological states
  • Interview takes place about ten years after the tragedy

Entities

Artists

  • Reinhold Messner
  • Werner Herzog
  • Günther Messner

Institutions

  • Le Monde

Locations

  • Nanga Parbat
  • Himalaya

Sources