There is a limit to the artsiness I can bear
Der Himmel über Berlin (Wings of Desire)
I have a feeling that I am supposed to love this film, because it just represents everything Berlin is in such a subtle, thoughtful way and I do think that it’s quite an affront that City of Angels is an adaptation of this beautiful film. But just like I dropped “Die Angst des Tormanns beim Elfmeter” (the book that “The Goalkeeper’s Fear of the Penalty” is based on), I had to drop this film as well. Sure, it’s poetic, meaningful, very artistic (the random insertion of coloured scenes is brilliant), well executed and everything… I even like its message, but it was such an incredible drag to watch it that I ended up watching Potemayo instead. It’s quite silly, but I suppose I just don’t like Handke’s style of writing.
While writing this postings, I have been thinking about whether I should give this film a second try or not. I realized that in the end, I might do so, but perhaps not in a long time, and only when I feel that my tastes have changed.
Finally, I doubt I will ever watch this film again, but I actually recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a serious film like this.
It has this incredible “omg, this ad has been there since 1989?”-moments, truly a movie for us living here! XD
I wholeheartedly agree to it being an incredible drag, despite its great success of portraying Berlin… Potemayo was just more attractive! *hrrr*
Pixelmatsch
12 Aug 08 at 11:32
Oh my god, how can you abuse this film so cruelly? XD I think I should watch it again on the way to Berlin, hoho.
I *especially* liked Handke’s style of writing (I wonder why I dropped “Die Angst des Tormanns beim Elfmeter”?). The poetic thoughts of the people are just portrayed perfectly IMO. You’re right with the film being a drag, of course, but I didn’t think of the slow pace as “boring”, I was rather fascinated, hm.
Shi
12 Aug 08 at 12:51
Yeah, the movie is from 1987 – actually it felt much much older to me. Basically the happenings of the film would be from the time I was born, and just a few years before I actually went to Berlin. That feels so wrong XD As much as my parents would want to deny it because chinese cities develop much faster, Berlin definitely has changed. And perhaps I am a little proud of these changes even.
Potemayo is a great success at portraying small, cute, annoying things! XD
Shii, the film is totally different from the real Berlin, I think. It is a good portrait really, but you won’t see it when you’re a tourist here. You will see many more “Jugendliche mit Migrationshintergrund” (like me, ahaha), colourful streets, really traditional and really modern buildings. You also will see actually green trees (unlike in Paris). So yeah, I think and I hope you will get a different impression from Berlin than the film suggests.
Sasa
12 Aug 08 at 13:16