XLrator Media Acquires Werner Herzog’s Salt and Fire

German arthouse legend Werner Herzog’s latest dark thriller gets U.S. distribution

74-year-old German filmmaker and cult icon Werner Herzog’s (Nosferatu: Phantom Der Nacht) latest film, the dark eco-thriller Salt and Fire, has been picked up for U.S. distribution by XLrator Media, it was announced today. The news comes days before the film’s North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Salt and Fire stars Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road, Boardwalk Empire and Herzog’s eerie David Lynch collaboration My Son, My Son, What Have ye Done), Veronica Ferres (Hector and the Search For Happiness), and Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle). XLrator Media will release the film in theaters in Spring 2017. 

RELATED: An appreciation of Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu

Written and directed by Werner Herzog inspired by a story by Tom Bissell, Salt and Fire tells the story of a corporate CEO and a group of scientists who must band together despite their ideological differences to try to avoid a looming environmental catastrophe. The film was shot in Bolivia at the stunning Uyuni salt flats (the world’s largest) and Germany. The film was produced by Nina Maag, Werner Herzog, Michael Benaroya and Pablo Cruz.

There’s no one else like Herzog. Doubtful there ever will be again. The filmmaker is known for both his bold narratives (Aguirre: Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo) and meditative, cinematic documentaries (Encounters at the End of the World, Grizzly Man, Cave of Forgotten Dreams). But he’s also an actor (Jack Reacher, the horror comedy Freaks of Nature) and a staple of oddball culture (listening to him read the story “Go the F*** to Sleep’ is the stuff of legend) and currently is getting great response to his online filmmaking masterclasses.

“In a career spanning six decades, Werner Herzog has dazzled and challenged audiences with his unique cinematic vision. We’re honored to bring audiences his thought-provoking and very timely environmental thriller with the remarkable cast of Michael Shannon, Gael Garcia Bernal and Veronica Ferres,” said XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon.

The deal was negotiated by XLrator Media’s Barry Gordon and Lea Flome with Creative Artists Agency on behalf of the filmmakers.

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