The screenings will take place in five major cities across India: Mumbai, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, and New Delhi.
Audiences will experience an array of Wenders’ works, including feature films, documentaries, and short films, giving them a rare opportunity to witness over five decades of cinematic artistry.
These films, which highlight Wenders’ influential career from his early days in the New German Cinema movement to his more recent critically acclaimed works, offer a deep dive into his evolving cinematic vision.
“In all my travels around the world over the years, it seems astonishing that somehow, India fell off the map, not just because it is a country with an abundance of landscapes and images to explore, but also because it is a country where cinema is like a religion,” Wenders said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to travel across the country and present my films, and who knows what will emerge from my time on the road in India.”
Along with the screenings, Wenders will personally attend events in each city, engaging with audiences, participating in Q&A sessions, and connecting with film students and industry professionals. This offers an extraordinary chance for both enthusiasts and budding filmmakers to interact with the visionary director.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, filmmaker and Director of the Film Heritage Foundation, expressed his excitement about the event, stating, “It’s a dream come true for Film Heritage Foundation to have Wim Wenders, one of the greatest masters of world cinema, come to India. Wim Wenders is not just a filmmaker, but a poet and a thinker of cinema who has influenced generations of filmmakers, including myself. He is truly the King of the Road, but he has never been to India – and it is going to be the adventure of a lifetime to travel across the country with him and show his films.”
Wenders’ visit to India will extend beyond the retrospective. Known for his improvisational and location-driven filmmaking style, he plans to film new material across the diverse landscapes of Rajasthan and Kerala.
This new creative endeavor will allow him to draw inspiration from India while continuing his exploration of cinematic themes. Wenders will remain in India until March 1.
Bjorn Ketels, Director of Goethe Institut Mumbai, also spoke of Wenders’ immense cultural contribution. “The films of Wim Wenders have played a pivotal role in the cultural work of the Goethe-Institut,” he said. “We are thrilled to join hands with the Film Heritage Foundation and Wim Wenders Foundation in welcoming Wim Wenders to India. He is one of the pioneers of the New German Cinema and is considered to be one of the most important representatives of contemporary cinema.”
Film Heritage Foundation has a long history of showcasing the work of cinematic icons, with past events featuring Giuseppe Tornatore and Christopher Nolan. The screenings for Wim Wenders – King of the Road will be free of charge, available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wenders’ career has spanned multiple mediums, including fictional features, documentaries, photography, and authorship. His films are noted for their introspective characters, poetic realism, and exploration of existential themes.
Early works such as Alice in the Cities (1974) and Kings of the Road (1976) established him as a central figure in the New German Cinema movement. His breakthrough film, Paris, Texas (1984), won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, while Wings of Desire (1987) solidified his international acclaim.
Recent works, including Perfect Days (2023), earned him an Oscar nomination. With recurring themes of memory, identity, and alienation, Wenders’ films have earned him numerous accolades, including BAFTA, Academy Award, and Grammy nominations, alongside major awards from Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.
The itinerary for Wim Wenders – King of the Road – The India Tour is as follows:
- Mumbai: February 5 to 9, 2025, at Regal Cinema & PVR Inox Metro
- Pune: February 21 to 23, 2025, at National Film Archive of India (NFAI)
- Thiruvananthapuram: February 10 to 11, 2025, at Sree and Nila Cinemas, Kairali Complex
- Kolkata: February 16 to 19, 2025, at Nandan & Basusree
- New Delhi: February 20 to 22, 2025, at PVR Plaza, Connaught Place & Stein Auditorium, Habitat Centre
Featured films include:
- The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick (1971)
- Alice in the Cities (1973)
- Kings of the Road (1975)
- The American Friend (1977)
- Lightning Over Water (1980)
- Reverse Angle (1982)
- Room 666 (1982)
- The State of Things (1982)
- Paris, Texas (1984)
- Tokyo-Ga (1985)
- Wings of Desire (1987)
- Until the End of the World – Director’s Cut (1994)
- The End of Violence (1997)
- Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
- The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)
This event is being organised by the not-for-profit Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), in collaboration with the Wim Wenders Stiftung (Wim Wenders Foundation) and Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai.
