Meeting Gorbachev

Documentary | 2019 | NR. 1hr 30min
CAST: Mikhail Gorbachev, Yuri Andropov, James Baker DIRECTOR: Werner Herzog, Andre Singer

Werner Herzog and AndrÃ© Singer's riveting documentary, filled with unforgettable archive materials and based on three long interviews, provides incredible access to, arguably, the world's greatest living politician. Now 87 and battling illness, the visionary Mikhail Gorbachev, former General Secretary of the U.S.S.R, has mellowed and slowed down. Still, gently but resolutely, he is pushing towards his goals. Herzog, as on-screen interviewer, does not disguise his affection, celebrating Gorbachev's three remarkable accomplishments: negotiations with the U.S. to reduce nuclear weapons; cessation of Soviet control of Eastern Europe and the reunification of Germany; and the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. All of this in six years! One German diplomat sums up Gorbachev's approach: "The process went so quickly that... opponents were overcome by the reality of the situation." Herzog and Singer remind us of the drastic and unforeseeable way the world changes.

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Reviews

What makes Meeting Gorbachev most interesting is the way we see Herzog shape the narrative through his questions, narration, and filmmaking skills.

Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

Director Herzog- famous for his films about impossible dreamers - is uniquely qualified to document Gorbachev, the man who dreamed of reinventing the Soviet Union... and ending up triggering its dissolution.

Liam Lacey, Original Cin

Herzog considers Gorbachev one of the greatest and most important politicians of the last half of the 20th century. And the movie - as well as Gorbachev's words - support his premise.

Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier