[Mini Theater Revisited] No. 16: Recovering from the movie town of Ginza...Part 5: Shante's big hit "Wings of Desire"

View of the Berlin Wall before it fell

The story is set in the German city of Berlin, and features Damiel and Cassiel, two angels. Although he is an angel, he does not have a cute appearance, but rather a middle-aged man wearing a long coat. They float around the city watching over the residents, but humans cannot see them. The angel may sometimes exchange glances with the children, but the angel cannot touch them. Eventually, Damiel falls in love with Marion, a beautiful woman who rides on a trapeze at the circus, and wishes to become human. Damiel chooses to stop being an angel and takes on a human body. He meets Marion in a bar in Berlin and they look at each other as man and woman.

If you follow the story alone, it seems like a romantic and cute love story (it was actually remade in Hollywood under the title `` City of Angels '' (1998)). However, although the setting is simple, it has a poetic style that strongly emphasizes German literary and philosophical aspects, and at the time of its release, some people said that it was ``unintelligible'' and ``difficult to understand.'' Peter Handke, who wrote the script, is a friend of Wenders and is also active as a novelist, poet, and playwright. He had worked with the director on films such as `` The Goalkeeper's Anxiety '' (1971) and `` Detour '' (1974), and the writer's literary side was strongly evident.

A ``child song'' appears at the beginning. “When a child was a child, he would let his arms dangle and think that a stream could become a river, a river could become a river, a puddle could become an ocean. I thought that there was a soul, and that the soul was one.'' (1st stanza)

This ``child song'' appears many times in different variations.

"When children were children, they always wondered... Why am I here and not there? When did time begin? Where is the end of the universe? Living in this world is just a dream ? [Omitted] After I am no longer me, what will I become?” (Second stanza)

"When a child was a child, he once woke up in another house. Now he always wakes up. [...] In the past, he could clearly see heaven. Now he only had a vague premonition. In the past, there was nothingness. I didn't think about it. Now I'm frightened by the emptiness." (3rd stanza)

The film uses many poems that make people think about what it means to grow old, and questions the audience's inner self are layered with shadowy black-and-white images overlooking the city of Berlin. The Berlin Wall still existed when this film was filmed, and when the protagonist passes by a wall with graffiti, there is a heavy atmosphere. As this is a city with memories of Nazi Germany, footage reminiscent of the past's murderous history is also inserted, casting a faint shadow on the lonely faces of people living in the present day (=1980s). The black and white city looks like a large ruin. Damiel drifts through the streets, watching over the people who live there, and eventually awakens to love. After becoming a human, he awakens to the charm of "tangible things" on earth. The film also changes from monochrome to color in the second half, and the world surrounding the protagonist acquires colors and smells.

The work is structured in a way that questions the sensibilities and feelings of the viewer, and is likely to have as many different interpretations as the number of people who see it. The leading role was played by Germany's leading actor Bruno Ganz, and popular American actor Peter Falk, known for his role in `` Columbo ,'' added warm humor to the role of a former angel.

Managing Director Takahashi further recalls this film: ``When it was released, I think Mr. Shibata of the French film company had a very difficult time. Even with subtitles, this film was still difficult. However, since it was to be released in Chantecine, the subtitles I think we came up with the final form after thinking about the content and other things.Even though I changed the subtitles at the preview screening, the video was great, but I wondered if this would actually attract customers. It's something."

◉Theatrical program of ``Wings of Desire,'' which was a big hit after its release and caused a boom in angels. The leading role is played by the famous German actor Bruno Ganz.

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