Los Angeles, German filmmaker Wim Wenders has pulled out his 1975 film “Wrong Move” out of circulation over a nude scene of actor Nastassja Kinski, who has long demanded the scene to be removed from the film as she was just 13 at the time.
The celebrated filmmaker, known for films such as “Wings of Desire”, “Paris, Texas” and the contemplative Japanese language drama “Perfect Days”, confirmed the news in a statement via his foundation’s official Instagram.
Kinski, 65, has, for years, campaigned that the controversial scene be edited out of the movie.
“Although I didn’t know much at the age of 13, I could already tell that it wasn’t right,” Kinski said in a recent interview with German newspaper the Süddeutsche Zeitung, as per Variety.
The Wim Wenders Foundation, which has the rights to Wenders’ films, announced that it has withdrawn “Wrong Move” from circulation.
“As the only person responsible at the time for ‘Wrong Move’ who is still here, I recognize that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected back then. For that, I apologize to you, Nastassja, unreservedly, no ifs and buts.
“The non-profit Wim Wenders Foundation, which owns the film, is withdrawing it from all current forms of distribution and exhibition. Streaming services, television broadcasters and distribution partners will be instructed to cease public access to the film,” the statement read.
Wenders said the many reactions, comments, and conversations played a significant role in further sharpening his understanding of the events of that time.
“For that, I am grateful. Only an open and respectful exchange can lead us to reconsider positions and reassess responsibilities. It is necessary for our society to find appropriate ways of dealing with controversial film works from the 20th Century and to face new learning processes and inclusive perspectives regarding cinema,” the statement further read.
The statement also promised that the film will be made available only after a “mutually agreed solution” with Kinski.
During an award ceremony recently, Wenders was more combative but that stance seems to have softened in the statement.
In his address at the time, Wenders said he would not shoot the scene today and admitted the pain that scene has caused Kinski, who he addressed as an actor “whom I deeply admired, and still do.”
But he also debated whether he had the right to change the film retrospectively.
“I can’t blame the 29-year-old young man I was then, 50 years ago, who made a film of his time; wanting, in a way, to capture the zeitgeist.”
After “Wrong Move”, Wenders and Kinski also collaborated later on “Paris, Texas” and “Faraway, So Close!”.
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