Wim Wenders Shares How 3D Art Doc ‘Anselm’ Put His Personal Feelings About Post-War Germany Into Perspective
variety.comPeter Debruge Chief Film Critic Wim Wenders describes himself as “a man of habits,” which helps to explain the respect he shows the routine-driven lead character of his latest narrative feature, “Perfect Days.” The gentle drama, which takes place in Japan (it was selected as the country’s official Oscar submission this year), focuses on a Tokyo craftsman who spends his days cleaning the city’s public toilets.
Routine is central to Wenders’ life as well, and it’s thanks to one of Wenders’ rituals that he found the subject for a second feature film he premiered at Cannes last May: “Anselm,” a 3D portrait of the controversial German artist Anselm Kiefer more than 30 years in the making.
Wenders first met Kiefer back in 1991, as the unconventional sculptor was preparing his biggest exhibition to date at the National Gallery in Berlin.
The show appears in the film: It’s the one featuring giant jet planes made of lead. Wenders was editing his film “Until the End of the World” not far from the museum, and as was his habit, he ate dinner at the same restaurant every night. “One day, this guy comes in with a big cigar,” Wenders recalls. “He saw that there was a space at my table, and he came over and sat down.” Though they had never met, the two men recognized one another and struck up a conversation. “We were the last people to leave the restaurant.
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