Wim Wenders on Cinema's Role in Preserving History

Renowned filmmaker Wim Wenders discusses cinema's power in shaping a civilized future amidst governmental manipulations of history. In a masterclass, he emphasized the importance of film in preserving historical truths and revealed his upcoming projects focused on peace. Wenders' love for cinema began in post-war Germany.

At a time when governments worldwide are reshaping history for their agendas, acclaimed German director Wim Wenders highlighted cinema's critical role in ensuring a civilized future. During a masterclass, Wenders, known for films like 'Wings of Desire' and 'Paris, Texas', presented cinema as a weapon against historical distortion.

The filmmaker emphasized the medium's capacity to condense history into a 'great catalogue for the future', urging young audiences to learn the language of images. Discussing his upcoming project—a fictional film on peace—Wenders expressed frustration over adjusting his narrative to geopolitical changes.

Reflecting on his origins, Wenders shared how post-war Germany shaped his cinematic passion, recalling the influence of Yasujiro Ozu and the discovery of his father's projector. Known for blending fiction and reality, Wenders aspires to create films that anchor in specific places, steering clear of generic storytelling.