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Alice Schwarzer to Wim Wenders: "Finally cut those damn two minutes!"
🇦🇹 Austria /Culture & Society

Alice Schwarzer to Wim Wenders: "Finally cut those damn two minutes!"

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Feminist Alice Schwarzer urged filmmaker Wim Wenders to cut a two-minute nude scene featuring a 13-year-old Nastassja Kinski from his 1975 film "Falsche Bewegung."
  • Kinski's lawyer announced plans to sue Wenders if the scene is not removed, citing a violation of her childhood personality rights.
  • Wenders stated he would not film such a scene today and asked the German Film Academy to initiate a debate on how to handle cinematic heritage.

Feminist Alice Schwarzer has called on filmmaker Wim Wenders to remove a nude scene involving a then-13-year-old Nastassja Kinski from his 1975 film "Falsche Bewegung" (False Movement).

Wim: Stop talking – and act! Finally cut these damn two minutes from your film!

— Alice SchwarzerThe feminist activist urged the filmmaker to remove a controversial scene.

"Wim: Stop talking – and act! Finally cut these damn two minutes from your film!" Schwarzer, 83, wrote in the magazine "Emma," which she founded. In the film, Kinski is shown topless. She recently told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" that although she didn't understand much at 13, she sensed "that it was not okay."

Wenders, speaking at the German Film Awards on Friday, said he would "never do that scene again today." However, he felt unable to blame his younger self, stating he made a film of its time. He posed a question relevant to all filmmakers: "How do we deal with film heritage?" He asked if and how one should cut a scene if it hurts an actress "whom I have greatly admired and still admire." Wenders requested the German Film Academy to facilitate a debate on the issue.

Although I didn't understand much at 13, I already noticed that it was not okay

— Nastassja KinskiThe actress reflected on her experience filming the scene as a minor.

Kinski's lawyer, Schertz, criticized Wenders' speech as an attempt to evade personal responsibility. According to Schertz, Wenders has refused a personal conversation with Kinski about the scene for years. Consequently, the lawyer announced the initiation of formal legal steps. The legal team will wait for the current week to see if there is a reaction to the recent public debate. "If we are not confirmed that the scene will be removed, we will sue," he stated, citing the violation of Kinski's personality rights as a child.

He asked the German Film Academy for a debate.

— Wim WendersThe filmmaker proposed a discussion on handling film heritage.

Nastassja Kinski's lawyer announced a lawsuit over the scene, which shows the actress topless. Kinski's lawyer stated that Wenders' speech was an attempt to evade responsibility. The lawyer announced that they will sue if the scene is not removed.

If we are not confirmed that the scene will be removed, we will sue

— Kinski's lawyerThe lawyer outlined the next steps if the scene is not cut.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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