Wings of desire

There are angels hovering over Berlin and walk unnoticed among its citizens, seen only by other angels and occasionally by children. They listen to people’s thoughts and at times they take an active role of guardian angels assisting those in need, stirring feelings of comfort, hope and optimism in them. The human drama fascinates Damiel (Bruno Ganz), one of the angels, and he yearns to touch, taste and feel and experience the ephemeral moments of simple joys. Wandering around, he finds his own angel at the circus: Marion (Solveig Dommartin). She’s a trapeze artist and for her, he takes a monumental decision.

I’ve seen more than two thousand films, many good and great films, but only a few have marked me. This is one of them. Wim Wenders’ Der Himmel über Berlin (1987) is film poetry, a visual metaphor. The magnificent cinematography of the great Henri Alekan, who filmed Jean Cocteau’s magical La Belle et La Bête (and by the way, given the time of year, I choose these two films over any other Christmas classics), is immeasurable for delivering the message of the film.

Filming the perspective of the angels in monochrome while using colour to emphasize the sensual perceptions of the human characters, the way the camera roams the library (I liked the idea of the several level library, a sort of headquarters for the angels) and glides effortlessly through scenes seemingly defying gravity, just like the soaring of angels; it’s fascinating how this mystical subject could be translated in film. But it will take more than one viewing for me to understand its full meaning.

The closing titles dedication, “Dedicated to all the former angels, but especially to Yasujiro, François and Andrej”, has sealed this film’s place in my heart. Because Yasujirō Ozu, François Truffaut and Andrei Tarkovsky have a special place in my heart too.

Have a wonderful weekend!

photos: film stills captured by me; production credits

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9 Responses to Wings of desire

A Brit Greek wrote on
--> 14 December 2012 at 11:54 am

Lovely post, I think they got it spot on filming in black and white, it wouldn’t do any justice or lend anything magical otherwise. Am yet to see La Belle et La Bête.
Have a lovely weekend Ada.
x.o.x.o
Heidi wrote on
--> 14 December 2012 at 12:04 pm

Hello, I just discovered your blog recently and I always enjoy your film reviews. I’m enjoying exploring your blog too. Merry Christmas! 🙂
Odessa wrote on
--> 14 December 2012 at 1:10 pm

This inspires me again, to add another movie to my list :). Have a great weekend!
LatteLisa wrote on
--> 14 December 2012 at 3:18 pm

It’s a beautiful film and you remind me to watch it again.

Have a wonderful weekend!
ashley wrote on
--> 15 December 2012 at 9:53 pm

oh wow, this film sounds amazing. thank you for the recommendation – i’m adding it to my list! have a great weekend, ada! xo
Georgianna wrote on
--> 16 December 2012 at 10:12 am

Both of these are brilliant films Ada. Many years ago, I had a friend who would take me to an art house cinema and that’s where I saw Wings of Desire as well as Beauty and the Beast. Amazing, remarkable experiences. I can see how they would transcend any normal holiday film fare.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year!!

xo
Helen @ TheStyleSchedule wrote on
--> 17 December 2012 at 1:24 am

I adore this film! And remember the first time I saw it.. in a little foreign cinema here in Melbourne- it has stayed with me ever since! Hope you had a lovely weekend Ada:)x
Gui Spada wrote on
--> 27 September 2016 at 10:44 pm

Loove this film! Do you have a film social network you put down the films you watch?? Like IMDB, or something??
- classiq wrote on
  --> 28 September 2016 at 11:29 am
  
  I don’t, I highlight some of them here, but there are so many I have watched that I wish I had more time to write about all of them.