Ghost Elephants (2026)
Director: Werner Herzog Run Time: 99 min. Rating: NR Release Year: 2026
Starring: Kerllen Costa, Qui, Qui-Dawid, Steve Boyes, Werner Herzog
Country: United States
Language: English
About the film:
In his latest cinematic odyssey, legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog journeys deep into the mist-shrouded highlands of Angola to follow conservationist Steve Boyes on a near-mythic quest: to prove the existence of the elusive “ghost elephants,” a rumored herd believed to be descendants of the largest elephants ever recorded. Guided by Indigenous master trackers and driven by a fusion of science, intuition, and obsession, Boyes ventures into a remote landscape where ancient knowledge and modern inquiry collide, and where the line between myth and reality begins to dissolve.
Directed, written, and narrated by Herzog in his unmistakable voice, Ghost Elephants transforms a scientific expedition into a profound meditation on human longing, belief, and the mysteries of the natural world. The film premiered to international attention at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival—where Herzog was honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement—and continued its acclaimed festival run at Telluride, Vienna, Stockholm, and major documentary festivals worldwide.
About the filmmaker:
Werner Herzog is one of the most influential and uncompromising filmmakers of modern cinema, known for his singular blend of documentary and narrative storytelling. Born in Munich, Germany, he came to international prominence with films such as Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972), Fitzcarraldo (1982), and Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), as well as landmark documentaries including Grizzly Man (2005) and Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010).
Herzog’s work is defined by his fascination with obsession, nature, and the extremes of human experience, often exploring characters driven to pursue impossible visions. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he has written, directed, and produced over 70 films, earning global acclaim for his philosophical voice, daring production methods, and enduring influence on generations of filmmakers.
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