Filmmaker Wim Wenders, who is credited with co-inventing Berlin's film scene, celebrates his 80th birthday.
In the heart of Berlin, the city that he helped shape with his iconic films, Wim Wenders continues to find meaning and inspiration. Born on August 14, 1945, in Düsseldorf, Wenders has directed over 20 feature films, numerous shorts, and documentaries, earning him a place among the most renowned German directors.
Wenders, a peaceful and friendly individual, initially harboured dreams of becoming a painter. However, his love for rock and roll and European literary history steered him towards the world of cinema. His fascination with the US, with its wanderers and seekers, is evident in many of his films, where characters often traverse deserts and urban horizons.
One of Wenders' most famous works, "Wings of Desire," shot in gritty black-and-white images, vacant lots, and featuring two angels portrayed by Bruno Ganz and Otto Sander, is perhaps the most famous film portrait of Berlin. The film, written by Peter Handke, captures something in Germany that's rarely depicted: melancholy. It flickers with what had been lost to Germans in their postwar stiffness and stubbornness.
Despite his strong connection to Berlin and his status as a principal member of the New German Cinema, no recent evidence suggests a major Berlin retrospective is underway or imminent. The reasons likely relate to institutional programming decisions rather than a lack of recognition of his significance. Notably, Wenders-related film events and screenings continue internationally, as indicated by local screenings and Q&A sessions, but these are smaller scale than a major retrospective.
A major retrospective titled "W.I.M. The Art of Seeing" is currently on display in Bonn to celebrate Wim Wenders' 80th birthday. Edward Hopper, a great idol for Wenders, would surely be proud of this tribute to a man who has captured the essence of cities and human emotions in his films.
Wenders' final masterpiece from 2023, "Perfect Days," is about the daily life of a toilet cleaner in Tokyo, whose van's stereo is filled with old cassettes of various artists like The Animals, Patti Smith, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, The Kinks, or Nina Simone. As Wenders retreats to the Uckermark, one can't help but wonder if the angels he created in "Wings of Desire" still watch over Berlin. For they haven't left Berlin yet.
The author of this text had the fortune of meeting Wim Wenders twice, and it's clear that his films are powered by American rock music and European literary history, a testament to his unique and enduring talent. Urban society, according to Wenders, has become less friendly, often everyone against everyone. But through his films, he continues to offer glimpses of a more peaceful and connected world.
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