Bruno S., the unwanted son of a prostitute, suffered a traumatic event at the tender age of three, where he was subjected to severe physical abuse by his mother, resulting in a temporary loss of hearing. This harrowing experience led to his placement in a mental institution, where he would spend the next 23 years, often finding himself at odds with the law.
Despite his tumultuous past, Bruno S. demonstrated a remarkable talent for painting and music, which he developed through self-study. These creative pursuits brought him immense joy and served as a source of solace. However, he was also forced to take on various jobs to make ends meet, including operating a fork lift in a factory.
Bruno S.'s remarkable story caught the attention of renowned director Werner Herzog, who was moved by his tale and vowed to collaborate with him. This led to Bruno S. landing major roles in Herzog's films, including "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser" (1974) and "Stroszek" (1977).
Working with Bruno S. proved to be a challenging experience, as he was known to require extensive periods of screaming and emotional release before he could bring himself to perform a scene. Despite these difficulties, Herzog remained committed to working with Bruno S., recognizing the immense talent and depth that lay beneath his troubled exterior.
