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I write and talk about movies and tv shows | Co-founder and podcast host at @desSaudadear network

'Wings of Desire': A Movie About What it Means to Truly Live
Bruno Lopes

'Wings of Desire', directed by Wim Wenders and co-written with Peter Handke and Richard Reitinger, is a 1987 romantic fantasy set in Berlin. The movie follows invisible, immortal angels who comfort the city's lonely inhabitants. Bruno Ganz stars as an angel who falls in love with a trapeze artist, played by Solveig Dommartin, and yearns to experience human life.

  • A Unique Perspective: A slow but extraordinary view of divided Berlin, with its beauty, melancholy and the emotional isolation of its people. The cinematography, alternating between black and white and color, emphasizes the contrast between the angels' detached observation and the vividness of human experience.

  • The Poetic Nature of the Story: The film's narrative flows like a poem, with contemplative dialogues and interior monologues that reveal the characters' deepest thoughts, connecting us to the angels' mission and the human struggles. It leads us to reflect on our own lives and the invisible connections we share with others.

  • Themes of Love and Mortality: At its core, it explores profound themes of love and mortality. The angel's decision to become human highlights the beauty and pain of the human condition. His longing for sensory experience and genuine connection underscores the universal desire to feel truly alive and loved.

'Wings of Desire' is a beautifully crafted slow film that resonates on many levels, and its unique perspective, poetic storytelling, and profound themes make it a classical must-see.

Embrace the experience and let it remind you of the unseen wonders of life.