Wings of Desire marked Wim Wenders' 'homecoming' and was his first German film after eight years in the USA. The film's main characters are guardian angels - benevolent, invisible beings in trench coats - who listen to the thoughts of mortals and attempt to comfort them.
One of them, Daniel (Bruno Ganz), wishes to become human after he falls in love with the beautiful trapeze artist Marion (Solveig Dommartin). Peter Falk (played by himself) helps him during his transformation by introducing him to life's little pleasures.
The film is narrated from the perspective of the angels who see the world in black and white. Only when Daniel becomes human does the world of colour reveal itself to him. He leaves behind his old friend Cassiel (Otto Sander), who continues to be accompanies by Homer (Curt Bois), the 'storyteller of humanity'.
The film has achieved cult status all around the world and in 1998 was remade under the title City of Angels, with Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan in the lead roles.
Screening in 35mm