Film Archive

Wings of Desire (1987) “At the Circus” Blogathon

Moody Moppet

Summer of serendipitous anachronisms and Le from Crìtica Retrô are hosting the

“AT THE CIRCUS BLOGATHON”

An amazing blogathon containing nothing but circus-themed film reviews with a freak-ish flavor to some. I love the circus, preferably on its darker side – tricks, freaks, and a lot of mystique. It’s a wonderful theme for a blogathon and I’m so up for contributing.

And so I chose Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire (Der Himmel über Berlin, 1987). I can’t believe how long it took me to write this review. Deleting, editing, reading, editing again, goodness. It appears there are a lot of aspects to cover with this film which results in me straying from the subject (a little). Wim Wenders has made quite an accomplishment with Wings of Desire. It’s one of the most recognized films in cinema history, acclaimed by many critics and film bloggers. It blends theological anecdotes with romantic ones, set in dim lit Berlin. Perfect.

Wings of Desire chronicles trench-coated angels populating the city of Berlin, tapping into people’s thoughts and dreams and comforting those in distress. They are unseen and unheard by humans, except for children. The film focuses on angels Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander) drifting the streets of Berlin and encountering humans in various situations – an old man looking for (then demolished) Potsdamer Platz, an American actor (Peter Falk), and a circus act, where Damiel falls in love with a lonely trapeze artist named Marion (Solveig Dommartin). Damiel observes humankind in awe. He wants to become one; feel, taste, know – “At last to guess instead of knowing. To be able to say, ‘Ah, and oh, and hey, instead of yes and Amen.” He’s that one curious angel who’s after more than just a spiritual being.  

Inspired by poet Rainer Maria Rilke’s work, the film has recurring storytelling narrated by novelist Peter Handke, who also wrote most of the film’s dialog. Handke’s deep and somewhat disturbing voice fully reflects the post-war desolated atmosphere of Berlin, an appropriate contradiction to the Song of Childhood poem he keeps narrating, which tells of exuberant creativity and curiosity of a young mind. Thoughts of random individuals are shot in monochromatic dusky camera filters (using a silk stocking to create a sepia-tinged black & white texture) that emphasize the peculiar quality and complexity of earthlings in the eyes of immortals. A subplot follows actor Peter Falk who stars in a film about Berlin’s Nazi past. Throughout the film, Falk is capable of seeing and hearing the angels, a fact suggesting he was once an angel himself.

The cast is brilliant with no exceptions, though, I chose the film because of Marion. Her character is interesting, deep, beautiful and does what I always dream of doing – swing on a trapeze. She lives by herself in a caravan, dances alone to dark music (Crime & the City Solution and Nick Cave). Something about her is just spellbinding.

wingsofdesire-trapeze
Solveig Dommartin as Marion

The once aspiring Marion who’s about to give her last performance is distracted by utter loneliness and the absence of pleasure, inner thoughts which only Damiel can hear. The circus is closing down due to lack of funds, and poor Marion might have to go back to waitressing, a job she was most willing to waive. Her dream of rising up through her art is gone, not only that, she’s alone, longing for a human touch. Her small time gig on the trapeze is her refuge as well as her risk. What if she’s to fall down and break her neck? Marion’s fears ultimately reflect the aviation of angels and their fear of falling down, so suggested with Marion’s last circus performance where she’s dressed in a sequined body suit and angel wings. Wenders braids the falling motif in other scenes when it’s mostly coincided with fear and death. When Marion and Damiel finally come together, the film’s desperate vibe is altered with a comforting feeling of balance. It’s best incarnated in their last scene together when Marion is pirouetting in the air while Damiel holding the rope that anchors her to the ground.

Favorite Marion scenes

Marion’s final circus act followed by Laurent Petitgand’s composed Zirkusmusik
Marion’s dance to Crime & the City Solution’s Six Bells Chime

Dommartin shockingly learned to master the trapeze on her own in only 8 weeks. Wenders didn’t use a stunt double AT ALL. Unfortunately, this promising beauty did not survive our mortal world and died of a heart attack at the age of 45, which was super sad for me to read. She really left an effect on me. I relate to her unique 80’s style of beauty, love her outfits and massive hair. Her scenes are the reason I love Wings of Desire so much. She inspires.

24 thoughts on “Wings of Desire (1987) “At the Circus” Blogathon”

  2. Fantastic review! I need to catch up on the At The Circus Blogathon posts (I did Freaks – another classic. I had to join in as I’m fascinated by the circus thing as well). I’m ashamed to say that… I really don’t know this movie and I LOVE the sound of it! How did it pass me by? Also, I kind of really liked City Of Angels despite some major flaws and just realising now that it’s a remake of THIS I’m annoyed that I saw that first as this sounds so much better. Well, thanks for the review as I’ll now definitely be seeking this out! : )

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Wow, thank for your awesome comment!! Not to worry. The fact that you watched City of Angels will not ruin Wings of Desire for you at all 🙂 City of Angels is very much focused on the love story, from what I remember. It’s based on Wings of Desire, but the overall story is quite different, I think. Wings of Desire focuses on various aspects, other than romance, however, you do wait for the stunning encounter of Marion and Damiel. I know you’re a music buff, so I just know you’ll appreciate the soundtrack too.

      I Love the circus and I love Freaks! Great choice for this blogathon indeed. I have to watch it again. So peculiar and beautiful. Can’t wait to read your thoughts on it. Thanks again for reading and commenting :-)))

      Like

  3. This was a very touching post, thank you for sharing such an amazing and sad story. It is really painful how something so joyous for the audience, often hides much tragedy, thank you for sharing this great post and THANK YOU for participating in the #AtTheCircus Blogathon!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Marion is my favorite character in the movie. I didn’t know the actress died so youg, that’s very sad. I sense that every new view of Wings of Desire reveals us an unexpected nuance, and your review made me want to rewatch the film.
    Thanks for joining us, it was great to have you among our guests!
    Cheers!
    Le

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Le! Glad you’re into this film. It’s a great one, Indeed. Another nice fact about the film, Solveigh a.k.a Marion was Wim Wenders then girlfriend 🙂 Thanks for having me. Would love to contribute in future blogathons.

      Like

  7. What a lovely post! It has been ages since I’ve watched this movie and you’ve gotten me in the mood to re-watch.
    And I understand exactly what you go through with editing, deleting, changing etc posts…that’s pretty much my process. It takes me at least a month to write a post and even once I’ve published, I find myself changing little errors or grammatical aspects.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m so happy to know I’m not alone in this. English is not my mother tongue so it always takes me heaps of time to choose the right words and I always end up sounding too formal. I’m so glad you liked it and thank you for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. A beautiful post on a beautiful movie. I was stunned when I saw it the first time, and you capture the quality that causes it. “…does what I always dream of doing – swing on a trapeze.” There are schools that will teach you. Two in the San Francisco area where I live. I hope you get a chance to live your dream.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Summer! I almost registered to a school in NYC, but changed my mind last minute. Right now I’m tap dancing, but maybe later I will swing from a trapeze also. Thanks for this awesome blogathon! 🙂

      Like

  9. Pingback: At The Circus – Blogathon – Serendipitous Anachronisms

  10. Amazing review, I found it very heart touching.
    I haven’t seen Wings of Desire, but I like that you dissect the film objectively, and explain what it meant to you. You are a very wise, tender and loving person… I really mean that.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Paul. This means a lot to me and I truly appreciate your kind words. Thank you, thank you 🙂 It’s always so hard for me to write about films I love and relate to so much, and I’m so happy you found this review amazing. I put a lot of sweat into this. If you’re into circus themed films, I highly suggest you to join in. Your writing always inspires me! 🙂

      Like

Leave a reply to Paul S Cancel reply