Auteur German Cinema from the 70s is Back at Berlinale

Wim Wenders and Wermer Herzog both started directing films in the 1970s in West Germany. Since then their careers have run in parallel: they were leading the New Cinema movement in the 1970s, found fortune in the United States in the 1990s, and then turned to documentary filmmaking. 

‘Every Thing Will be Fine’ directed by Wim Wenders is a psychological drama shot in 3D, starring James Franco, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Rachel McAdams. The English-language film explores the consequences of accidental manslaughter, and the process of forgiving oneself. Based on an original script by Norwegian writer Bjørn Olaf Johannessen, it is a story of Tomas (James Franco), the author whose life changes after a car accident. Tomas falls into a deep hole, even though he is not directly to be blame for the tragedy.  After breaking apart with his girlfriend, he seeks retreat in writing and tries to start his own family. The film examines Tomas’ attempt to give his life new meaning and recounts his search for forgiveness.

At the 65th Berlinale, Wenders will also be receiving an honorary Golden Bear, with 10 of his films set to screen at the Festival, including award-winning ‘Paris, Texas’ and last years documentary ‘The Salt of the Earth.’

Wermer Herzog’s latest ‘Queen of the Desert’ also makes its debut at Berlinale. This biopic is his first narrative feature since 2009’s ‘Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.’ The film is an epic biography of Gertrude Bell, British traveller, writer, archaeologist, cartographer, and political attaché at the dawn of the 20th century. Bell played a crucial role in the development of the Middle East.

Herzog has been able to assemble an impressive cast, including Nicole Kidman as Bell and James Franco as Bell’s lover Henry Cadogan. The stunning background scenes, establishing shots and a major portion of the filming took place in Morocco, with some scenes shot in Jordan and London.