Known for his introspective looks into the relationship between the characters in his movies, instead of the typical flash and dazzle, German director Wim Wenders helped launch the New German Cinema of the late 1960s and early 1970s. With his sweeping visuals, often times of sparse surroundings, the writer/director and sometime cinematographer has created many memorable films. Wilhelm Ernst Wenders began his filmmaking career while in college, where he made seven small films before his first feature titled Summer in the City, which he dedicated to the rock group the Kinks.

After gaining notoriety in his native Germany and throughout the rest of Europe, Wenders first journeyed to the United States to film the 1977 movie The American Friend. The film, which was based on Patricia Highsmith's novel Ripley's Game and starred Dennis Hopper, was a critical success and garnered Wenders international acclaim for his storytelling. More international awards came in 1984 when the director directed the film Paris, Texas, based on a script written by it's star Sam Shepard. The film's tale of a lonely drifter reuniting with his family won Wenders the Palme d'Or at the annual Cannes Film Festival.

Wenders' German film Wings of Desire got the Hollywood touch-up with the 1998 remake titled City of Angels. Although he did not direct it, the film followed in the typical theme of self-awareness, featuring the story of one man's search for his existence. Wenders followed this with the hugely popular and critically acclaimed documentary titled Buena Vista Social Club. The film was a look at the lives and careers of various Cuban musicians, winning multiple awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary, and helped spawn a resurgance of Latin music around the world.
Climb to Fame
German filmmaker, who has gained international acclaim for his films such as Paris, Texas and Buena Vista Social Club.
Work History
(2000) Directs the film Million Dollar Hotel.

(1999) Directs the documentary Buena Vista Social Club, based on the lives of various Cuban musicians.

(1998) Writes the film City of Angels, a remake of his earlier German film Wings of Desire.

(1991) Becomes the chair for the European Film Academy.

(1984) Directs the film Paris, Texas, winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival that same year.

(1977) Directs the film The American Friend, featuring Dennis Hopper. It is the first film to garner international attention for Wenders.

(1970) Makes his first full-length feature titled Summer in the City. He dedicated the film to the musical group The Kinks.

(1968-1970) Works for the magazine Filmtrak and the newspaper Die Suddeutsche Zeitung, both as a critic.

(1967) Creates his first short-film titled Schauplatze/Locations.
Affiliations
Filmverlag der Autoren/The Filmmaker's Company

European Film Academy
Awards
Wim Wenders has also won numerous Awards