Wim Wenders withdraws film over controversial scene with teen actress

Acclaimed director Wim Wenders has announced he is temporarily withdrawing his 1975 film "The Wrong Move" (Falsche Bewegung) from distribution. The decision comes after years of public criticism and a personal appeal from actress Nastassja Kinski, who was a minor when she starred in the film.

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Because I am the only person responsible for The Wrong Move who is still alive, I recognize that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected back then.

The film features a scene where a then-13-year-old Kinski, in her screen debut, appears topless with a man in his thirties. The character portrayed by the man slaps Kinski's character, a mute young girl, and touches her while she is wearing only underwear. Wenders, now 80, has admitted that he made a mistake and that Kinski, who later became a renowned actress, should have been better protected during the production.

Kinski, now 65, has reportedly been trying for 15 years to convince Wenders to alter the film. She stated in an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung that even at 13, she sensed something was not right about the scene. Wenders initially avoided her requests for over a decade but appears to have changed his stance following recent public discourse and criticism from within the film industry.

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Although I didn't know much at thirteen, I realized even then that not everything was okay.

Wenders has apologized to Kinski and stated he will instruct streaming services, television channels, and distributors to remove the film. He plans to engage in discussions with German film institutions about the possibility of re-releasing the film in the future and under what conditions. Kinski's input will also be sought in this process.

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Even though I didn't know much at thirteen, I realized even then that not everything was okay.