Wim Wenders Interview: Painter, Filmmaker, Photographer | Louisiana Channel

“The world was such a better world in paintings than in reality.” Growing up in post-war Düsseldorf, it was through paintings that German filmmaker Wim Wenders initially discovered the possibility of a different world. This would later come to define him not only as a painter, but also as a filmmaker and photographer, as he shares with us in this personal interview.
A painter at heart, Wenders initially regarded film and photography as a simple way to record his surroundings and the camera as an extension of his painting tools. What he discovered, however, was that the camera could depict something that paintings could not - time. To Wenders, each photograph is a sort of time capsule, frozen in time but with an incredible relation to its own past and future, inviting the spectator to see more than any film could ever show. His desire is for the picture to not only convey a story about itself, but also about the person who took it. “I’m looking strictly for what I can learn about us”, he emphasizes.
Common for Wenders’ approach to both film and photography, is the starting point in painting and in particular the concept of frames. He considers the frame to be the defining factor - if it is not in the frame, then it is out: “The frame is the main act.”
In the end, Wenders became a filmmaker almost without being aware of it, and the transition from painting to photography and films was complete, as he puts it: “Eventually I realized I was no longer a painter.”
Wim Wenders (born Ernst Wilhelm Wenders in 1945) is the director behind movies such as ‘Paris, Texas’, the story of a man who returns to retrieve his life after a four year absence, ‘Wings of Desire’ (‘Der Himmel über Berlin’), which features an angel who falls in love with a mortal and thus wishes to become human, ‘Faraway, So Close!’ (‘In weiter Ferne so nah’), where a group of angels again look longingly upon the life of humans, ‘Buena Vista Social Club’, which documents a group of talented aging Cuban musicians, and ‘Pina’, a tribute to the late German choreographer, Pina Bausch. He has received a multitude of international awards, including the Palme d’Or, the BAFTA and the Golden Lion. Since 1996 he has been the president of the European Film Academy in Berlin. Apart from being a highly praised filmmaker, Wenders is also an acclaimed playwright, photographer and author.
Wim Wenders was interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner at Kunstforeningen Gammel Strand. Most of the photographs shown in this interview are part of the exhibition: ‘Wim Wenders - Places, strange and quiet.’
Camera: Simon Weyhe
Edited by: Kamilla Bruus
Music: 'Draw a Blank' by Søren Dahl Jeppesen (from Find the Tune)
Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner, 2014.
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
Supported by Nordea-fonden

[@cinnamon4605]

Paris, Texas (1984) My Personal Favourite Film of all Time.

[@jackgalmitz1883]

The photographs remind me of the world of Edward Hopper.

[@user-op3hc2nk9o]

the left one is the same street corner I think

[@jackreynell6713]

He blew my mind when he talked about people facing the camera or turning their backs. One of those truths that you didn't know consciously until someone else points it out and you think "oh yeah!"

[@ShadowindLUKE]

"the world is beautiful in paintings than it is in reality" just that speaks volumes yet so honest. It's his perspective and wow

[@bojanadelfabro4166]

Sqzgb7oetqxx L 8adowindLUKm bhk7

[@dogfood142]

‘Photographs are very complex, their relation to time is complex, their relation to mortality and change is complex, and their relation to the eye that saw them is extremely complex. Seems such a simple thing, photographs... and yet sometimes I feel they are even more complex than narrative films, they invite you to see more than any film could ever show.’

[@tantrictraveller1212]

Hearing someone even suggest the complexity of a photograph is heartening . The flow of this talk reflects the artist's style and his self- definition. ..but with an Aquarian distance and respect for subject and for the work itself. I have learned about vision and about expression as a person and an artist thanks man!

[@AndersonHershey]

Wtf is Aquarian distance

[@poetry-and-protest]

Love this: “I felt I was not allowed to cut the flow of time”

[@thomasschuele1475]

Just love Wim Werders, his movies and this Interview

[@marthaevans8270]

I'm in awe of Wender's parents! Their role in his development was critical to his cinematic poetry. Splendid producers! To endow his curiosity led to his amazing film making!

[@grithgough2990]

Very interesting to hear how Wenders relates painting to film and film to architecture and ties it all in with his experience around photography.

[@daniellagrinberg1732]

"...the place in itself can tell a story about us. and as soon as a person is in there, that person tells the story. ...if you want the place to tell it's own story, you have to leave it alone. and if there are visitors, they should be in the distance..."

[@eligregoo]

immer wieder tief beeindruckt von dieser Persönlichkeit

[@beardedskyrim8652]

He made some incredibly beautiful movies

[@patrickdumont7302]

Good evening, I discovered this interview after watching this channel compilation about 11 photographers. I have been taking by the charm of this slow paced reflexion that Wim Wenders is deploying around his life his art and how he relates to time and the way things are. He reminds me of Lucien Jerphagnon who had this moment of wonder when realising that things are whereas there is no reason that they should be here. In the same way he looks at the world in wonder that things are, that wind blows in the leaves, truly contemplative and in awe of the overlooked intrinsic beauty of things that are and pass. The complexity of the relationship to time is extremely well articulated in my opinion. Only

His photos are as beautiful as his films

[@Coddy2001]

I accidentaly clicked on this as an ad and i ended up liking it. Never thought this would happen.

[@Coddy2001]

Sorry for my gr8 engrish

[@adelsalam2475]

Jfs

[@MrScopophiliac]

Such eloquence and clarity on the nature of Time!

[@John_Greek]

A real genius.

[@brycenew]

Excellent! Many thanks Wem & Louisiana MoMA 🙏🏻

[@heekyungkim8147]

love this amazing artist.

[@maximiliano.zurita]

Es magnifico el desarrollo que hace sobre su forma de trabajo. Realmente inspirador

[@julyandavis8528]

A first-rate artist. Love Louisiana Channel's interviews.

[@Jebus9]

Coming here after the latest episode of The Big Picture podcast for the ASMR.

[@ixchel777]

I really loved "Perfect days"

[@rajsingharora26]

This Man Genuis.

[@sbove]

Beautiful interview...thank you!

[@joenicholls461]

Wenders is one of the best living film makers

[@brownbear1959]

Yes!

[@chantalastorgkobe4786]

What is the background music of this interview,I love it.I like too the way V.Wenders speak about what he does and the way it happened to be like that.

[@DeonMitton]

Excellent - such wisdom !

[@Rahoorkhuitable]

Wim kann den Mittag gut fotografieren...und die Historie, der vergangene Weg, der dahintersteckt...eine vergangene Ewigkeit (oder ein Objekt).Man sieht das ganz gut in "Don´t come knocking" auf dem "Müllplatz" vor dem Haus (mit Couch).Auf dieser Couch will man ewig sitzen - und genau so sind seine Filme....

[@sunburnramthem2373]

this is one great recording

[@jimksa67]

Great guy- very honest!

[@Sciart]

Phenomenal

[@kishosoundandvision]

pure genius

[@metahduh4003]

"Traveling for months and months, searching" must be a nice situation to be in. How do they do it - financially?

[@beardedskyrim8652]

They suffer and starve

[@ricardopereira1795]

I wonder why the reason for the "dislikes "??

[@TetinKlimente]

Me too.

[@loveoneanother-yt]

They probably hit the wrong button accidentally. I mean how could you dislike Wim? He's a great example to all of us.

[@bassbird]

same as always, random contrarian jackasses

[@914nyhappyendings6]

@@loveoneanother-yt other than him signing a harvey Weinstein pardoning petition not sure

[@AlejandroArras]

Genio y figura

[@donluan3347]

Hallo Herr Wenders, ich finde ihren film über den papst sehr interessant, ich gratuliere,..... sehr herzlich! Was ich jedoch sehr vermisse ist eine stellungnahme der papst bzw. ihre interesse an der tatsache das die kirche die tiere vergessen hat. Die kirche nimmt die tiere als nicht seelenfähige lebewesen. - Der papst wo er klein war, wollte sogar metzger werden. - In den menüs der vatikan, kardinälen und papst stehen immer leichenteile von unschuldigen fühlenden lebewesen zur wahl. Ist das die richtige ausführung der 5. Gebot welcher sagt: NICHT TÖTEN ????? W-A-R-U-M- stellt sich der papst nicht hinter das leiden und sterben der tiere?? Alle tiere die der mensch frisst sind alle im kinderalter, wussten sie es?? Sie sind unsere mitbewohner auf diesem planeten, sie haben gefühle wie wir, sie spüren liebe, leid, angst, freude........GENAU WIE WIR MENSCHEN !!!! Tiere sind nicht so verlogen wie menschen und können viel mehr alles besser, .......sie können besser fliegen, besser laufen, besser sehen, besser springen, besser schwimmen, besser riechen .......und besser fühlen als der mensch. Warum dann sie so unterdrucken und beherrschen???? Nur aus fresssucht und gaumenlibido??? Das ist sehr schäbig und was die kirche macht den tiere gegenüber ist einfach nur verlogen, feigling (gegenüber den lobbies) und mördermäßig. Habe fertig.

[@LynJegher]

Contempoary Genious

[@merinfraser3374]

Lyn Statelesslife took pictures as a kid

[@LynJegher]

:)

[@julietspaghetti]

Yes

[@minh-dungtruong4970]

A giant.

[@AlhambraDream]

Which camera does he use to take those aspect ratio shots?

[@lucienfleurier7514]

This gives me some intense ASMR

[@spinnact]

Four or five films a day, Wim, holy fucking cow

[@monicabianconiarte5819]

Ernst Wilhelm " Wim " Wenders nato il 14 agosto 1945) 72 anni è un regista , drammaturgo , autore , fotografo tedesco e figura di spicco nel New German Cinema

[@scottipippen]

a giant

[@julietspaghetti]

Painting

[@axax9254]

10:43 - > Sounds similar to Tarkovsky.

[@Heath_Herring]

Can anyone tell me the title of the song in this video?!

[@SrenDahlJeppesen]

I actually wrote this song, it's called Draw A Blank. This version has never been released, but our band Pauseland has made a recording of it itunes.apple.com/us/album/palindrome/id280749045

[@Fan-zz8ch]

Was just wondering which background song it is after watching this video ! It's really beautiful and thank you :)

[@kcsi1]

Søren Dahl Jeppesen Wow!

[@nathanniehaus2651]

His posture lol

[@metahduh4003]

My god the man seem really down(05:30:)) so far.

[@metahduh4003]

Ze German Herritage...

[@antonioconti8007]

I am really not happy that you don't came, because you are been little bit italian today, i'm sorry to tell you this, but it's true.

[@stehbar]

Antonio, parla come magni, ché così nun se capisce ‘n #a^zo!

[@bartcorver5579]

man, this guy is perfect if you are trying to fall asleep...

[@esrarengizoyuncu5547]

canim ulkem alsan dunyalari verme bu cennet vatani dedikleri iste bu ;))

[@larrybliss8330]

Wenders' reputation has risen and fallen over the years... I wonder what would have happened if he had stayed with photography?

[@jarokorni6650]

i s.............

[@flr4sgamer614]

غعح

[@metahduh4003]

Being "Framed" seems terrible.

[@viewlesswind]

Real artists, such as Edward Hopper, never talk about their own art and process. Only fakes do.

[@jeanurishultz3089]

What a dull being

[@renovatio7162]

His movies are horrible