The Criterion Collection 2023 Releases: WINGS OF DESIRE (Spine No. 490)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- 1987, directed by Wim Wenders
Spine No. 490
For more information about the Criterion release, please see:
www.criterion....
For the essay by Michael Atkinson, please see the following:
www.criterion....
TIMESTAMPS BELOW:
1:40 Discussion on the film
19:39 Comments on the presentation
30:04 Comments on the commentary track
37:41 Comments on the supplements
49:43 Comments on the cover art, writing, closing comments, etc.
Other discussions on the Criterion Collection 2023 Releases can be found in this playlist here:
• Criterion Collection 2...
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I am so happy I had the chance to hear your discussion of this all-time great film and it's recent Criterion re-release on 4K! I purchased the blu-ray during a Criterion flash sale and was blown away. This is one of those cinematic experiences that reaffirms my love and belief in the power of movies. I love the earnest portrayal of the angel characters and their care, concern, interest and powerlessness with respect to the lives of the people on Earth. The way the film moves through space and uses sound, such as the inner thoughts of the Berlin citizens, is masterful. There is also a very cool and disorienting sequence towards the end that uses this crazy series of colors and images that I remember adding yet another unique edge to this film. A huge aspect to this film and how it can provoke so much thought also is how 1980's Berlin is such a key character in the film. There is a huge sense that we get from images of the Berlin wall, the surroundings, and the overall anxiety hanging over the populace that help truly distinguish this film as a German classic. You mention so well another aspect to this film that makes it work for me and that is the many reminders of how everyday acts like breathing in the air or touching something is something to treasure during the human experience. The way the Bruno Ganz character acts and observes the woman or the citizens of Earth, I'm really drawn into his desire to want to become a living human. I really enjoy how this film is also from the perspective of a hand writing with a pen as I recall it opening with a brilliant poem that would become something of a metaphor for the rest of the film. I can't say I ever watched much or any Columbo, but watching Peter Falk in this film, I get an even greater sense of the 80s energy that is within this film. Peter Falk had to have been quite a recognizable icon during those times and I get a unique sense from his presence on screen. I also get a funny chuckle thinking of a Columbo reference in the Beastie Boys song The New Style. Peter Falk's interactions with Bruno Ganz, amongst so many other scenes in this film, are so heartwarming. That's the real takeaway for me from this film is that it is so full of life affirming philosophies. Right now, even though I have seen this film only once, I have a strong feeling like it is one of the more affecting films I have ever seen in my life. No doubt that watching this film was a reminder of why I continue to pursue fresh cinematic experiences for myself and how Criterion is truly such a champion when it comes to helping curate these titles for me to find. Of course, also, I would not have as much gumption to want to seek these titles out if it wasn't for your way of bringing excitement and knowledge into the equation that is physical media collecting. I can recall all the times you would bring up Wings of Desire how I knew I would be in for a treat when I was able to watch the film. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak about this recent 4K release by Criterion! As I write this comment this morning, I have a version of the film playing through HBO (or "Max") streaming service and the quality is noticeably worse than the blu-ray I have. I can't help but think how much more I value the experience of seeing a film like this through Criterion vs. if I had just stumbled across it via a streaming service. Having your discussion to go along with the Criterion treatment is just the added treat that I continue to be such a huge fan of. Keep up the good work and I absolutely cannot wait to acquire more Criterion titles this July at 50% off! I was so happy when I saw this discussion posted on your channel. Wings of Desire is an absolute pure cinematic experience that I will always remember having. I also now know where the inspiration for the U2 music video for Stay (Faraway, So Close) came from as it directly lifts imagery and sequences from this film. So many iconic scenes! Wow... I understand how you can watch your 4K three times and I hope we can continue to get joy from re-watching and thinking about this film for many years to come. Cheers, my friend! 😇
Seth! I remember you mentioning this some weeks or so back, so it was great to read your take on this wonderful film!!!!! Yes!!!
"Faraway, So Close" is the sequel to "Wings Of Desire", made in 1993, and the U2 music video was made with images of this film as well (like the female angel played by Nastassja Kinski). The song "Stay" is on the soundtrack of this film. There's a very good documentary about "Wings" here:
th-cam.com/video/mUT2AzppDL8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=lmr5CdURGSDeFwtP
@@hellemarc4767 Hello and thank you! This gives me another chance to think about this amazing movie and learn something new! I wish I could catch U2 playing at "The Sphere" in Las Vegas and they could play this song we mention while images of the film(s) play on that revolutionary 360° screen! 🔮🪽
Excellent movie and great soundtrack. Thank you.
Thank YOU for the comment and yes, great film and soundtrack. I agree. Warmest regards.
I’ve never seen this film before and haven’t heard that much about it other than it being mentioned in the Criterion Collection, so this is cool to hear you talk about this film Daisuke. I hope you’re doing well and please take care!
Thank you so much and I can definitely recommend this.
What happens with two angels who observe people in 1980s Berlin as they go about their daily
lives? How do their perspectives change as they take part in these daily happenings? And how
is this related to the real world and other forms of media? These are some amusing questions
one has to answer as one dissects Wim Wenders's existential and powerful film Wings of Desire.
It is a film that is focused on the lives of angels, the lives of people and how they can
intermingle with one another.
The motion picture starts off with two angels named Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto
Sander) as they look over a divided Berlin and watch the lives of people as they go about
their daily lives. They get to see the emotions of the people whether they are happy or sad
and are mainly unseen by others. They mainly get to see individuals and comfort the distressed.
However, one of the angels observes a lonely trapeze artist named Marion (Solveig Dommartin)
and soon starts to have feelings for her which sets him on a path for love and emotions.
The two angels have their own ideas of how to "communicate" with others, though their ideologies
change. In Damiel's case, he gets transformed by the idea of actually feeling love when around
a particular individual. This sets him off on a journey where he gives up his immortality in
order to experience something he never would have felt otherwise. Damiel represents change and
being able to experience the world with no restrictions imposed on oneself. It is a metamorphosis
that makes him become human in the process and experience love, taste, sense, smell and quite a
few other things that come with sacrifice that he feels is worthwhile.
Cassiel on the other hand is more about keeping in line with how his kind should operate. He
does still "feel", but in a different manner from Damiel. He is representative of conservative
thinking when it comes to sticking with the old ways and having limited contact with humans.
When Damiel becomes mortal, he virtually has no more contact with him. Cassiel is the polar
opposite of his friend and is stuck in the cycle of being disconnected from the world and not
experiencing what Damiel has, thereby depriving himself (though he is quite different in the sequel).
A fascinating yet surreal aspect to this film is how there are real characters involved in the
story like musician Nick Cave in one particular scene. But the most amusing of these individuals
is Peter Falk himself. We find out that he was once an angel too and renounced immortality like
Damiel has. This becomes something of a meta context and raises questions about if such a concept
like this exists and whether other people in the real world were angels at one time. This may be
considered absurd in respect, but it adds a fun element to the story and relates to Damiel's story
overall in terms of his decision.
Something that strikes me the most about the movie is the differences between black and white
photography and color. The black and white shots reminder me of the dreariness that the people
go through, as well as being closed-minded like the angels are at the time. Being there for the
people, but not truly being connected. When we go to color shots, I see it as a form of awakening
and how it has one "open their eyes" and witnessing the beauty of the world, along with communicating
with others. That's my interpretation of the shots at least.
One of the looming aspects of the film is the Berlin Wall itself. When the film came out at the
time, the Berlin Wall was still up and East and West still divided. This comes down to what was
a reality for years and could also symbolize the angels with the populace. It stands in a dreary
sort of way and is oppressive like the wall was at the time. And it calls for a sense of reunification,
especially for Germany and perhaps even with the angels themselves with the world. With Damiel
renouncing his immortality, he is being "reunified" with the world and its people, thereby shattering
that wall in the process.
In addition to a sequel (Faraway, So Close! which I wish would get a proper release), there was a
remake back in 1998 called City of Angels which is a loose remake of Wings of Desire. It starred
Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan and followed some of the same plot with the story with the fallen angel
context, though it changes certain aspects of the story. Despite being successful on a commercial
scale, it lacks the same feelings one gets from the original. And a particular song from the Goo
Goo Dolls is more famous than that movie. But one can see that the original was impactful enough to
get an adaptation which would make one want to check out the original even more.
Wings of Desire presents us with the concept of how one can observe others in one way, but can also
have one give up their heavenly bonds and join the human race. It also serves as a way of reconnecting
with the world if one watches from afar. But it poses the most intriguing question for the viewer.
Would one want to live an immortal life from afar but not be connected to anyone, or would they want
to give it all up for a chance to experience many things, including love? Damiel and Cassiel present
the answers but only the viewer can decide for themselves. Both are enticing but Damiel's is more
fascinating compared to the monotony of Cassiel's. I think I know which answer I would choose.
And you have done it again here. Wonderful write up as always.
Peter Faulk gave an outstanding performance in this movie.
Yes agreed!