Wim Wenders 80

On August 14th this year Wim Wenders, one of the most well-known contemporary auteurs of New German Cinema celebrates his 80th birthday. Wenders grew up in post-war Düsseldorf and studied medicine and philosophy, but dropped out in 1966 to study painting in Paris. Although he did not become a painter, he soon found himself employed at Johnny Friedlaender’s atelier. During this time, however, he became fascinated with cinema and spent countless hours at the Cinémathèque française, which proved to be instrumental in his journey to becoming a filmmaker. In 1967 he returned to Germany to enrol in the University of Television and Film Munich. During his studies he also worked as a film critic.

Journeys have always been a central theme in Wenders’ oeuvre. After touring West Germany making films with his cinematographer Robby Müller, Wenders gained international recognition and began travelling abroad. Throughout the following decades, his cinematic journeys have viewers to the United States and Latin America, across Europe and even to Asia. In addition to filmmaking, Wenders is devoted to preserving and advancing European and world cinema. He was one of the founders of the European Film Academy and served as its president from 1996 to 2020 and is also a member of the Filmmaker Council advisory board of Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project.

This summer, Elektriteater is introducing the widely praised cinematic world of Wenders to Tartu. With outdoor screenings, Wenders’ films take the viewer on a journey to the United States, Portugal, Germany, Cuba and Japan. The four outdoor screenings take place in locations fitting with the settings of the films. On August 14th (Wenders’ 80th birthday) we conclude the programme with a screening of Lisbon Story at Elektriteater.

July 11th 22.30 Buena Vista Social Club (ULA bar)
July 17th 22.30 Perfect Days (Central Park of Tartu)
July 23rd 22.15 Wings of Desire (Ohvitseride Park)
July 29th 22.00 Paris, Texas (Raadi airport)
August 14th 18.00 Lisbon Story (Elektriteater)