Wim Wenders’ Closet Picks

The legendary auteur returns to the closet, where he selects new editions of favorite films like DOWN BY LAW and WANDA, talks about Kurosawa’s genius for recreating weather on-screen, and shouts out his former assistant director Claire Denis.
Shop Wim's Closet Picks! www.criterion.com/shop/collec...

[@CathalCots]

Paris, Texas is one of the most perfect films ever made. So much humanity, emotion, humour, heartbreak all carried out through masterful cinematogrphy, and subtle but powerful performances. Wim Wenders is one of the most insightful directors when it comes to the human condition. It's no wonder he shows so much joy and appreciation to the masters of filmmaking of the last 100 years when picking out his blu-rays! I could listen to him chat about films for hours. Thank you Criterion for setting this up and releasing Until the End of the World in 4K!

[@MothGirl007]

Wings Of Desire is also brilliant.

[@jetjaguar3000]

Amazing to hear Claire Denis assisted! I tend to like her movies more than Wenders', though that's zero criticism of Wenders.

[@joeldb]

It's pretty lame

[@OlafProt]

Perfect Days comes close. It's like a warm hug from Wim.

[@FredBloggsTheThird]

I knew a girl in London who worked in a studio space where someone else sharing the space had a job on a Wim film, and at some point Wim was there for a week supervising the guy's work. She had no idea who he was, but for the entire time he was there she addressed him as Tim. Just wanted to share.

[@anyonewantsarefund2660]

tim tenders lmao

[@thebossman80s]

And he was too much of a gentleman to correct her 😂

[@davey8914]

🤣

[@user-vs2yl2up1l]

@@anyonewantsarefund2660 The Tendieman

[@mahsaasgari1466]

and i really think we never forget this story, even if she or he would

[@ramomate1705]

0:42 A Story of Floating Weeds (Ozu, 1934) 1:00 Down By Law (Jarmusch, 1986) 1:30 The Cameraman (Buster Keaton, 1928) 1:40 Jacques Tati collection 2:10 Kagemusha (Kurosawa, 1980) 2:41 Wanda (Barbra Loden, 1970) 3:00 Beau Travail (Claire Denis, 1999) 3:29 Until the End of the World (Wenders, 1991) 3:47 Au Hasard Balthazar (Bresson, 1966) 4:02 Mouchette (Bresson, 1967) Possibly the funniest first 4 seconds of a Criterion closet video. Wim looked high as hell. What he says about the Down by Law poster is so true, I literally have it hung up in my room to lift my spirits. Perfect Days is the most Jarmusch movie he's ever made, one of the most humbling films of Wim's catalog.

[@solushex]

1:26 The 400 Blows / Les Quatre Cents Coups (Truffaut 1959)

[@brandothecatmeow]

Until the End of the World has an incredible soundtrack as well.

[@guilhermecarvalhodarosa]

Thanks for This!

[@shawnatlast]

Keaton, Ozu, Kurosawa, Tati, Bresson in one vid, awesome

[@floolo1]

not all heros wear capes

[@matayolandas]

Protect Wim Wenders at all costs.

[@matthewjames2565]

Wow. This is genuinely the first Criterion Closet visit that actually got me emotional and teary-eyed. His humility, grace, and eloquence are second to none. Infinite gratitude for your example and gifts that you have bestowed us, Mr. Wenders.

[@isaacmartinez6904]

The man who directed Perfect Days is here. I really love that film. And the music is pure and nostalgic. Please Criterion, I hope we have Perfect Days into the Collection soon.

[@gnalkhere]

Well Neon does have a deal with Criterion so keep your hopes up

[@sliceofcristian]

I don't think there's another Region A blu ray announced so I hope it's because of Criterion

[@JacquesLang2]

Perfect Days is honestly a perfect Criterion Collection-type movie

[@MarcMansfield]

i NEED a Perfect Days Criterion because it was my #1 movie of 2023 by a long shot

[@DudeinGA]

I'll buy Perfect Days on Criterion Collection Blu Ray Day Freaking 1 if they ever announce it.

[@arabelladelboschetto]

"I've been here at the closet..." he had me in the first half

[@luisantonio4592]

Curious that he thinks Until the end of the world is his best. “But who am I to judge”humble guy

[@gnalkhere]

I spent the first 3 months of COVID dissecting each cut in that movie, and as an escape from reality it's his best. Objectively it's certainly not that film but when cooped up you can't go wrong with a 5-hour globetrotter Also it's 250 cuts totalling 129 minutes

[@zoetropeguardian]

It's the most personal for him as everything else like his most acclaimed film, Paris, Texas, was written by Sam Shepard. He made this one with Solveig Dommartin (who he was romantically linked with for a time) and all of his musician friends. It was also made across the world in various countries. Particularly America and Japan. The two countries he loves most and who contributed a lot. It's also a film that has a lot to say about our consumption of images and the effects a completely artifical world has on us. It's a very important film that is very culturally relevant I'd say as he predicted a lot. He also dealt with studio meddling and on set chaos. It's a true miracle it came together as well as it did.

[@randywhite3947]

@@gnalkheresubjectively film is not objective

[@buried4430]

And he’s not wrong. It’s his best and most ambitious film

[@cosimocub]

I have tried twice over the years to watch this film. I will try again! @@zoetropeguardian

[@Animator605]

His enthusiasm and giddiness is infectious! What a treat!

[@niptuck117]

Wim with that smooth and relaxing ASMR-like voice. Please be there for a 'Perfect Days' Criterion.

[@pnwtreehugger806]

It is a delight watching this master filmmaker select films with such joyous abandon and humor!

[@03Artemis]

I watched Paris, Texas for the first time a few weeks ago. It absolutely changed my life. Thank you, sir.

[@katford7286]

I love him. “Wings of Desire” will forever be my favorite film.

[@MothGirl007]

It's truly one of the greatest movies of all time.

[@jerryrichardson2799]

​@@MothGirl007Totally agree with you.

[@tabularasa7887]

The cinematography is exquisite

[@magicknight13]

Totally agreed!!

[@watchoutforsnak3s]

The American Friend is such a banger of a neo-noir. Robby Müller’s cinematography is off the charts.

[@EyeByBrian]

🎯💯

[@Advent3546]

Wim's voice is so soothing to listen to

[@josephpalis6589]

Such a lovely, engaging and child-at-heart man! I see the excitement building in him as he looks at the shelf and it jumps on the screen. Also, at first glance he looks like a wise and dignified Japanese. He must have assimilated a lof of Japanese vibes from directing 'Perfect Days' -- perfect indeed! This is one of the all-timer Criterion Closet videos!

[@nicklager1666]

Fun that he mentions weather and Kurosawa. They talked with the set producer of the seven samurais. He said for the scenes with the rains they could never satisfy Kurosawa. It had to be heavier more downpour. And it paid of you can tell through the scenes how the actors were struggling with the rain and its intensity.

[@zantigar]

quote from google: "In Rashomon, he dyed the rain water black with calligraphy ink in order to achieve the effect of heavy rain, and ended up using up the entire local water supply of the location area in creating the rainstorm."

[@zoetropeguardian]

Wim! Your films are true treasures. I'll never forget Paris, Texas and Until the End of the World!

[@dn9597]

omg, I love his films! He's one of my favorite directors and "Paris, Texas" is one of my favorite films! Thank you for this video!

[@matthueloose7172]

I have not cried harder then when watching Paris, Texas. full sobbing, choking, tears and snot running down my face...! One of my favourite films of all time and forever.

[@markodjuric4282]

Wim's film Alice in the cities is an underrared masterpiece!

[@zantigar]

the shot with the kid pedaling the bicycle alongside the car gets me choked up every time.

[@nl3064]

Alice in the Cities is a great little movie, but reel it in. It's not even Wender's best. If anything, charming as it is, Alice was just a warm-up for things to come (he would handle this sort of material better in Kings of the Road and Paris, Texas).

[@MrRazorblade999]

Ozu, of course. He loves his films. We all do.

[@paulgriffin7695]

The man gets so much joy from films it is palpable. He's a legend and he's still such a huge fan of other filmmakers.

[@evanmichael3153]

"I can't believe it!" 😂 His enthusiasm & love for film is infectious 🤘😍🤘

[@lindapgolan7070]

Wings of Desire and RIP Bruno Ganz

[@outhegrid]

Wim Wenders. Such a graceful and wonderful human being. You can see the passion in his eyes and his tone of voice. Truly wonderful.

[@psychobiddy]

He's like a child at a candy store. It's so wholesome. I really like his movies, but I never knew much about him as a person (I think this is the first time I heard him speak). He seems lovely.

[@mrfroopy]

Until the End of the world is so magnificent in all its chaotic messiness. It vaccilates wildly from sublime to just interesting and back over and over. I love it.

[@RolandDeschain1]

I've always said that nobody has ever shot the elements better than Kurosawa. And the only time I recall seeing rain on screen as impactful as in something like RASHAMON was in Sam Mendes's ROAD TO PERDITION.

[@RobertFantinatto]

Long live Wim Wenders, maker of cinema magic.

[@BasketballJones48021]

Paris, Texas.. one of the very best films ever! RIP Harry Dean Stanton

[@StephenWSanders]

"Should I get a film on Blu-ray that I already have?" - Wenders shares the eternal dilemma of all film collectors. Love this video! "...just don't do it without consulting Kurosawa." Amazing.

[@BilltheMiddleAgedCat]

until the end of the world is his best. truly remarkable film, i hope more people find it. I suggest it to everyone I know

[@EastmanD]

You gotta love this guy !!

[@deptofcarstereorepair]

I'm surprised I've never gotten around to seeing any Wim Wenders's movies, for whatever reason they fell off my radar but I'm going to make it a point to watch a few this month!

[@ttaylor1808]

Wim Wenders, one of my favorite directors along with Jacques Tati another favorite director!

[@Badvision]

Love it when you can feel the true excitement of these industry changing giants. Even if i do not like all his movies, what a lovely humble being at the top of its tiers

[@r.antoniogueudinot2234]

Wim Wenders is an international treasure. I had the privilege of seeing him in person at the IFC center last year, when he spoke after a screening of "Anselm". He held the audience in the palm of his hand with his wit, grace, humility, and storytelling. At the end of an incredible Q&A, he justly received a thunderous ovation that left him visibly moved. A true gem of an artist. Counting down the days to purchase "Anselm" and "Perfect Days" from Criterion.

[@jerryfenwyck]

I just watched "Wanda" on the Criterion Channel. Powerful performance by Barbara Loden.

[@HAL-rx5ln]

That Tati set is pure joy and happiness. Great picks overall.

[@excelsiormoviereviews]

Did we just witness the beginning of the two-timers club? I really liked his variety and Paris, Texas is one of my favorites from Wenders.

[@domclegg1225]

incredible picks. love how he seems to get emotional every time he picks one off the shelf!

[@michaelhockus8208]

Until the End of the World is excellent, I'm a proud owner of the Criterion Bluray and I share it with my friends. Thanks for the video!

[@barlofski]

Thank you for your heartfelt films and for introducing me to Ozu thru your film Tokyo-Ga in the 1980s.

[@TheCinematicPackrat1]

How utterly adorable and childlike.

[@zephyrandboreas]

Wings of Desire (with the beautiful poem When a child a child was...). One of my personal favorites. Paris Texas with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack by Ry Cooder.

[@beltenebrosgr1904]

REMEMBER MY WORDS: When the time comes and Criterion releases a bluray/dvd/video cassette/whatever... with the "Closet Picks" and all the extras, like uncut versions, interviews and whatever else... THIS WILL BE A BEST SELLER and cherished and loved by many cinephiles around the world. THANK YOU CRITERION!

[@DJGamingSmash]

I got Until The End of the World for Christmas on a Criterion bluray. I hadn't seen it, but it was top of my list because I love Wim. I loved it. Looking forward to Perfect Days!

[@chrishills2427]

I love this man. What a filmmaker and an absolute gent.

[@watashilee671]

'of course, ozu' - that’s what wenders is all about)

[@CidsaDragoon]

Oh I love his movies so much. Wings of Desire and Paris, Texas are two favourites.

[@johannepoirier7111]

Wim Wenders. So easy to love. Each film magnificent. His voice the most velvety. Enjoyed watching.

[@trishsuchy]

What a lovely closet visit to drop today, thank you. Sure wish Criterion would release Wenders’ film, A Trick of Light.

[@m0rticiansflame]

Down By Law!!!! awesome pick

[@romanspataro1688]

Perfect Days borders perfection. his perspective has matured gracefully

[@CoToZaFilmJest]

It was always so surprising to me, that WW was at the same time genuine cinephile and yet very often had no clue... how to make movies. You can call it experimental searching, but after so many years I never felt, that he actually learnt anything about craft. Still, among many irrelevant pictures Wim made few masterpieces. For instance: LISBON STORY - such a beautiful love letter not only to the city, but also to late Fellini, to fado music (MADREDEUS!), but most of all - to cinema itself. And he has excellent taste!

[@danielpatache8843]

so freakin' awesome to hear Wenders thinks Until the End of the World is his best work, I always enjoyed it so much, not that many people have seen it

[@zantigar]

I'm dying, Wenders is so hilarious - and yet, and yet... he has seriously great taste!!!

[@johnmavroudis2054]

If I went into that closet, among the first films I would grab would be "WINGS OF DESIRE"... (and one or two Charlie Chaplin films, a Fritz Lang film, a Cuaron film... a Frankenheimer film... a Kurosawa film... and... )

[@nedludd7622]

"Down by Law" is wonderful and should be seen. Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni were hilarious. I had the pleasure of meeting Waits before he was famous, and before I knew who he was, at a small bar venue in a California town decades ago. Notice that half of the movies he mentions are French. There are many Wenders films I have seen and two of my favorites are early ones: "The American Friend" and "The Goalkeepers Fear of the Penalty Kick". I wonder if Wenders has seen "The Human Condition" by Masaki Kobayashi. It is a trilogy totaling 9 hours. Surely the best long film made. He must have.

[@pierredupont1096]

So charming and erudite. Thanks so much for your second visit Mr. Wenders.

[@Yojimb001]

I'd love to see both Wim Wenders and Jim Jarmusch together in the Criterion Closet making their picks and discussing film together. That would be epic. And I am betting that if Jarmusch were there he would pick at least one Wenders movie...maybe Kings of the Road.

[@vivviedarling9336]

Until the end of the world director's cut is a good way to spend an afternoon. "1999 was the year the Indian nuclear satellite went out of control." I mean what a set-up! Classic.

[@twofingersmyfriends3830]

I'm such a fan of Wim Wenders' film 'Wrong Move.' A road movie about a young man who goes on an existential trip, and meets an assortment of colourful characters along the way. I've always been a sucker for films that bring strangers together, for whatever reason, just tagging along for the journey. Maybe it's the quaint nature of it, I don't know, to throw caution to the wind like that, seeing as how it could hardly happen in the real world, given how dangerous and unpredictable human beings can be. It's very slow and talky. If you enjoy that type of cinema, then give it a try. Certainly not for all tastes, but it definitely worked for me.

[@ryandudley3616]

The first ever criterion collection video I watched was the original Wim Wenders one. And his passion for films and his story about how he fell in love with films completely enchanted me; and I promptly proceeded to watch films none stop every day for about 2 years 😂

[@koomo801]

I don't get too fanboyish over movies anymore but when he called the Bresson film holy territory I choked-up. I haven't seen Wanda and now I realize I need to correct that.

[@barrymoore4470]

'Wanda' is an interesting film, but I don't regard as highly as Wenders and quite a few others do. I saw it via cable television (Turner Classic Movies), so the mediation was not ideal for a work conceived and made in celluloid. I agree with Wenders that a male filmmaker would likely not have made the same kind of work that Barbara Loden realized here (her sole directorial credit).

[@wehosrmthink7510]

This is a spectacular list. I’m in awe. I’m fortunate to have seen a few of these films.

[@BC99]

Wings of Desire is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

[@DineshBhadwal]

Wim Wender's Perfect Days is going to become the most picked whenever Criterion picks it and puts it in its closet.

[@DocSportello1970]

This guy knows how to Pick Movies!

[@nl3064]

He sure does. Ha, love that your pic (and name) is Inherent Vice.

[@DocSportello1970]

@@nl3064 Thanks...its safe to say I have a bit of a Thomas Pynchon obsession.

[@nl3064]

@DocSportello1970 - I.V. was the first Pynchon novel I read (after seeing the movie few times). My favorites are Inherent Vice and Bleeding Edge.

[@Wapak95]

We're talking about an iconic world director here.

[@DocSportello1970]

@@nl3064 You might wanna grab Vineland....rumors are running rampant that PT Anderson is adapting it to Film as I type.

[@MelissaBeamer-ve3nn]

Yes!! I love Wim Wenders films! I will be finishing Until the End of the World tonight and I’m really sad for all the people who will miss it due to its length. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@adoor3712]

This might be my favorite closet video. Utterly hilarious

[@AbrasiousProductions]

I watched Mouchette (1967) last year!

[@perspicaciouscritic]

From the description - "The legendary auteur returns to the closet..." Legendary: an overused word, but not the wrong one.

[@niklas0000]

I just love how Wim pops up in everything related to film, berlinale, oscars, special screenings. Living legend!

[@AE-hy4vf]

Didn’t know he was such a charming fellow.

[@r.a.mproductions]

My favourite director! Welcome back to the closet, Wim.

[@romanclay1913]

Wenders' road films: ALICE IN THE CITIES(1974). KINGS OF THE ROAD(1976) If you haven't seen them, watch them. If you've seen them, watch them again. They are more than worth the journey.

[@kj4726]

CLAIRE DENIS! BRESSON! I have to scream to the heavens, because the heavens are stubbornly silent. Ok, I am feeling better now. Thank you.

[@Jacobunny]

I had no idea Claire Denis worked on PARIS, TEXAS or WINGS OF DESIRE, VERY NICE. And BALTHAZAR ftw 💯

[@honesty_-no9he]

BLURAY format was launched 17 years ago.

[@afjkidd5]

He was referring to the fact that Criterion wasn’t producing Blu-rays at the time, so there were none when he was last in the closet.

[@petemc5070]

Shout out for Wender's 'Alice in the Cities'!

[@mytube1246]

This is probably my all time favorite video. It's such a pleasure watching beautiful people doing something they love. I so desperately want to meet this man. I have fallen in love with him with so little exposure.

[@norwoodeye2580]

This gave me such a giddy good feeling.

[@ShotgunHeroX]

him picking out kagemusha is my same reaction its just so god damn cool

[@crohmer]

love the Bresson picks!

[@godzilla0083]

Wings of Desire is a great movie!

[@thecinematicmind]

How’s the sequel?

[@godzilla0083]

@@thecinematicmind would recommend only on the basis that people should check out what happen to the characters after Wings of Desire. Other than it is a good movie but not the greatest like Wings is.

[@ulehlud9027]

Everybody I like, when they get into the closet, they pick some Ozu. I suppose I'm just too infected by the 21rst century, or too shallow and dumb, to get it. It's great to see Wenders in the closet. Hey Criterion... please add Gus Van Sant's "Drugstore Cowboy" (1989) to the collection. It is getting hard to get on disc at all, and it hasn't been given a proper Blu-ray edition for the U.S. I'd also love to see Robert Eggers' "The Witch" (2015), which is truly excellent on many levels, get the Criterion treatment! Lastly, and I know you won't be seeing this, and that you won't do what I ask even if you do see this, please give Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth" (2021) a Criterion physical release... as you did with the Velvet Underground doc... Apple produced both of them as "exclusive" and thus... no DVD, no Blu-ray. Also, like the Velvet's doc that you did give a physical release to, Coen's Macbeth was really good.

[@rockinresurrection6542]

I'm not into Ozu either. Watched "Make way for tomorrow" yesterday & liked it much more than Ozu's Soft-Remake "Tokyo Story"

[@JidionisthebiggestMenace]

Great video bro. Great director, great mind.

[@LaytonLancer17]

Perfect Days coming soon!

[@altohippiegabber]

I always did expect Wim Wenders to be 'in the closet' 😏

[@buried4430]

Hes so cool, i hope to have his attitude when i get older

[@user-dp4fq4dm7q]

Perfect days was so good. I hope to watch texas, paris and wings of desire one day

[@megamoviez]

Master of cinema! Wings Of Desire and Paris, Texas are all time favorites and Perfect Days was literally so perfect it was my favorite movie of 2023.

[@cudnovati_]

i love his excitement, particularly with Wanda, he is so right

[@gmoke]

Kim Cattrall also picked and talked about Wanda in her visit to the Criterion Closet.

[@Dantefulcanelli4620]

Love you Wim Wenders, thank you for your films.

[@neondarling379]

When the video starts and he turns around is meme material

[@curiositytax9360]

Go away

[@neondarling379]

@@curiositytax9360 🤓

[@willieluncheonette5843]

I absolutely LOVE his The Soul of a Man, a film that concentrates on Blind Willie Johnson, Skip James and JB Lenoir.. It took a German director to make such an outstanding film on three of America's greatest country blues singers. (Although some might say Johnson was a religious singer)

[@1965zimmy]

I enjoy these closet picks but I'm baffled by the fact that the participants wait to enter the closet to get the films they love. It's easy to purchase the Criterion disks online. Poor Wim has had to wait all this time to upgrade Down By Law to Blu Ray!

[@OBGrollout]

he's back! with better audio this time lol