Ich bin ein Berliner

Wings of desire (1987)

This is one of the few films that has immediately made an impression on my state of mind. This film is so stunning that words cannot really describe the feelings of awe and adoration for the film and the city and era it portrays. I think the connection comes due being a teenager, therefor having a sense of distance from childhood, yet like the characters in the film, retain an innocence to the routine of adult life. The film is poetic through its script and its lyrical beauty of combining the heavens and mortality in a rich black and white film.

Berlin seems idyllic with its raw creativity and potential. Bombed spaces and disused areas give a beautiful backdrop in which to convey a calm solicitude. Berlin in 1987. The city is alive with rebellious culture due to the political constraints of cold-war society. The wall hinders free movement and is imposing yet the artistic graffiti corrodes the wall as a symbol of authority like a disease. Yet still capitalist West Berlin is separated from the waning communist east.

Bruno Ganz (Hitler in Downfall) creates a character who is extremely complex in beliefs and attitude towards life and whether his position as an immortal angel constrains or enriches his resolve. With a teddy bear-esque enthusiasm he surveys the city and gives a warm touch to those in need. In my mind he has a unconventional handsomeness which elevates him to a position of strength and legitimacy. His long rich cotton winter coat (the preferred outfit of the angels) gives a sense of anonymity as they blend into the hollowed out Berlin.

The film is extremely musical although its not its ultimate priority. As previously described, the poetic script could be seen as spoken word, and for once, the German language is as flowing and dulcet as french, and has a melodic intonation as varied as English is perceived to have. More obviously the actual soundtrack feels so perfect its holy.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds feature as themselves in a scene where the two  lovers (Bruno Ganz as the angel Damiel and Solvieg Donmartin as Marion) meander through the amazingly 80s crowd at the amazingly raw concert. The live energy delivered by Nick Cave is electrifying despite being shot in solemn black and white. Another scene where the two characters are transposed onto a idea of heaven makes me think of a Kate Bush music video.

After watching the behind the scenes, it has exposed me to an alternative kind of creativity. Director Wim Wenders prompted the idea that this story was thought up after a near death experience involving an overdose whilst frivolously experimented with hash-brownies.

The correlation in a way gives some further depth to the story to know it is influenced by real circumstances.

This modern fairytale is lusciously symbolic and this ensures that repeated viewings is required - which is certainly a bonus. Moreover, the film acts as a time capsule for the underground rock scene of Berlin, which luckily has of yet escaped being affected by cheesy nostalgia.

Wings of Desire really is too divine to put into words - when watching, if in the right mood, it almost becomes a numinous experience.