Wim Wenders: Cinema's Role in Retelling History

Famed filmmaker Wim Wenders discusses the power of cinema in shaping history amidst global political agendas. In a recent masterclass, he shares his personal journey from aspiring painter in post-war Germany to becoming a celebrated director. Wenders speaks about his troubled new project on peace and his inspiration from world cinema.

Renowned German filmmaker Wim Wenders emphasized the pivotal role of cinema in counteracting government attempts to rewrite history for personal agendas. Speaking at a masterclass, Wenders underscored film's power as a 'weapon for a civilised future' as he reflected on his unique upbringing and career shift from painting to filmmaking.

Wenders' insights came during a packed session in the national capital, where he highlighted the ongoing global trend of historical revisionism and the potential of movies to preserve accurate narratives. His upcoming projects include restoring old films for digital archives and a new fiction film centered on peace, though it's facing challenges due to the rapidly changing world.

The auteur reminisces about his past, sharing anecdotes from his childhood in post-war Germany and his discovery of cinema in Paris. Wenders' influential vision stems from his passion for storytelling, ignited by his father's old projector and his relentless drive, leading him to sell his saxophone to fund his first camera.

(With inputs from agencies.)