Film Lens
Wings of Desire is a romantic fantasy film set in Berlin during the time of the Berlin Wall. It tells the story of two invisible, immortal angels, Damiel and Cassiel, who observe the lives of the city's inhabitants, listening to their thoughts and emotions. The film portrays the isolation and estrangement felt by many people in a densely populated city, highlighting the contrast between the angels' eternal existence and the fleeting nature of human life.
The narrative follows Damiel, who falls in love with a lonely trapeze artist named Marion. In his desire to experience human sensations and love, he chooses to become mortal. The film is visually distinctive, shot in both color and black-and-white, with the latter representing the angels' perspective. The screenplay was developed by Wim Wenders and Peter Handke, and the film received critical acclaim, winning awards for Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival and European Film Awards.
Why Watch
- •See Bruno Ganz as an angel in love with a trapeze artist.
- •Find out how the Berlin Wall influences the story.
- •Meet characters like Homer, who dreams of peace.
Did You Know
•Wings of Desire was released in 1987 and directed by Wim Wenders.
•The film won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987.
•It was followed by a sequel, Faraway, So Close!, released in 1993.
•Numerous critics named Wings of Desire one of the best films of the 1980s.
Perfect For
Berlin Wall historyRomantic fantasy filmsCinematic art