Dispute over nude scene: Wenders withdraws film for the time being

After a dispute over a nude scene with actress Nastassja Kinski, director Wim Wenders’ film “False Movement” will no longer be shown for the time being. The Wim Wenders Foundation announced that the film will be withdrawn from all current forms of exploitation. “Streaming, TV and distribution partners are instructed to no longer make the film publicly available.”

In the message, Wenders apologized. “As the only person responsible for the ‘False Movement’ who is still there, I see that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected back then. I apologize for that, Nastassja, without any ifs or buts.”

“The many reactions, tips and conversations of the past few days have contributed significantly to further sharpening my view of the events at that time. I am grateful for that,” Wenders continues. It is necessary for our society to find appropriate ways of dealing with controversial films from the 20th century and to embrace new learning processes and perspectives.

In this important debate he would seek a broad exchange. “Only after that, even if it takes longer, and after we have been able to present an amicable solution, also in consultation with Nastassja Kinski, will we release the film again.”

Nastassja Kinski’s lawyer: Wait for an offer to talk

In a first statement from the South German newspaper Across the street, Christian Schertz, Nastassja Kinski’s lawyer, welcomed Wender’s decision. This was overdue: “I also regret that this only happened as a result of public pressure after he initially tried to hand over responsibility in his speech at the German Film Prize and indirectly assessed Nastassja Kinski’s request as censorship, which was really infamous,” wrote the Berlin lawyer. He emphasized: “In addition, of course, we have to wait and see what the offer of talks actually entails.”

The background is a dispute over a scene in the 1975 film “False Movement,” in which the then 13-year-old Nastassja Kinski is shown bare-chested. According to her own statements, the actress has been asking Wenders to remove the two-minute scene for years.

Wenders said at the German Film Prize that he would “never do the scene like that again today.” But he couldn’t blame his younger self at the time. He made a film in his time. But a question arises that concerns all filmmakers: “How do you deal with film heritage?”

Can and should you cut a scene if it hurts an actress – “whom I admire and admire very much”? “Can you shorten a film afterwards?” asked Wenders at the gala in Berlin. The director asked the German Film Academy for a debate.

Nastassja Kinski’s lawyer Schertz had previously criticized Wenders’ speech as an attempt to evade personal responsibility. Since, according to Schertz, Wenders has “refused to have a personal conversation with Nastassja Kinski about the scene for years,” the lawyer had – before Wenders’ current announcement – ​​announced the transition to formal legal steps.

With films like “The Sky Over Berlin,” “Buena Vista Social Club” and “Perfect Days,” Wenders has become one of Germany’s most respected filmmakers. He also filmed the road movie “Paris, Texas” with Nastassja Kinski. The German Film Academy awarded him this year’s honorary prize.