Der Himmel Über Berlin
In Wim Wenders' magnum opus, an angel gives up his immortality to be with a trapeze artist. Filmed for the most part in mesmerising black and white and set in a torn Berlin.
Atop the iconic Gedächtniskirche, angels Damiel and Cassiel watch over humanity, invisible to all but children. They have been doing this work since the beginning of time, and Damiel increasingly sees the limitations of his angelic existence. Feelings of warmth, pain, cold or sadness are alien to him. But when he falls in love with a trapeze artist, he decides to give up his immortality to be with her.
DER HIMMEL ÜBER BERLIN (WINGS OF DESIRE) became a classic in Wim Wenders’ body of work. The film is worth seeing just for the stunning images of Berlin before the fall of the Wall. The film won the directing prize at Cannes. (mv)
Please note: From 14 December, Lumière will screen PERFECT DAYS, Wim Wenders’ new film that won the best actor award at Cannes.