Wim Wenders: Film Can Change Lives, But Not Politics
– As the 76th Berlin International Film Festival commenced, its newly appointed jury president, Wim Wenders, articulated a powerful, yet nuanced, view on the role of cinema in a world grappling with conflict and social upheaval. Wenders believes movies possess an “incredible power” to effect change, but not within the realm of politics.
Speaking at a press conference opening the 11-day event, the acclaimed director of films like Wings of Desire and the Oscar-nominated Perfect Days stated, “Movies can change the world, but not in a political way.” He elaborated, explaining that while film may not sway the opinions of politicians, it has the capacity to “change the idea that people have of how they should live.”
Wenders framed filmmaking as an act of “bridge-building and generating empathy,” suggesting its strength lies in fostering understanding between individuals rather than directly influencing policy decisions. He highlighted a perceived “big discrepancy on this planet between people who want to live their lives and governments who have other ideas,” positioning film as a force that can address this divide.
The opening of the festival wasn’t without its own political undertones. Wenders faced a pointed question regarding German support for Israel during the Gaza war and what some perceive as inconsistent global solidarity with those facing hardship. However, Wenders firmly pushed back against the notion that the film industry or the Berlinale should adopt explicit political positions.
“We have to stay out of politics,” Wenders asserted, “because if we make movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics. But we are the counterweight of politics, we are the opposite of politics. We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians.”
Ewa Puszczyńska, a Polish producer and member of Wenders’s jury, supported this stance, labeling the initial question’s framing as “unfair.”
Wenders’s jury includes a diverse group of international filmmakers and industry professionals: American director Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), Japanese filmmaker Hikari (Rental Family), “The Zone of Interest” producer Ewa Puszczyńska, Nepalese director Min Bahadur Bham (Shambala), South Korean actress Bae Doona, and Indian director-producer Shivendra Singh Dungarpur (Celluloid Man).
The director’s comments arrive at a time when film festivals are increasingly seen as platforms for social and political commentary. However, Wenders’s position underscores a belief in the unique power of cinema to operate outside of, and perhaps as a corrective to, the often-contentious world of politics. He suggests that the true impact of film lies in its ability to shape individual perspectives and promote a more empathetic understanding of the human condition.
