What's happened
German filmmaker Wim Wenders has pulled his 1975 film The Wrong Move from distribution due to a topless scene featuring 13-year-old Nastassja Kinski. The Wim Wenders Foundation is removing the movie from current channels and seeking a broad dialogue on handling controversial 20th-century cinema.
What's behind the headline?
Writing style and context
- Wenders has decided to withdraw a film due to a scene involving a minor.
- The decision is being framed as a broader discussion about handling controversial cinema from the 20th century.
- The response includes an apology to Kinski and an emphasis on protecting talent in the industry.
What this implies for film distribution
- The move may set a precedent for re-evaluating works from the era as social norms evolve.
- Stakeholders (funders, distributors, film academies) are being invited into a wider dialogue to avoid repeating past harms.
Likely consequences
- Access to The Wrong Move will remain limited while discussions unfold.
- The case could influence how other studios address archival material involving minors.
How we got here
Kinski, then 13, made her film debut in The Wrong Move and has since voiced concerns about protection during her early career. Wenders has apologized to Kinski and says the film will remain unavailable until a mutually agreed solution is found. The move follows previous campaigns by Kinski asking for changes to earlier Wenders projects.
Our analysis
The Guardian reports that Wim Wenders has withdrawn The Wrong Move and issued an apology to Nastassja Kinski, with his foundation owning the film and coordinating the withdrawal. AP News provides similar details, noting Wenders’ call for a broad dialogue. The Independent and France 24 echo the same points, highlighting Kinski’s statements and Wenders’ foundation’s actions.
Go deeper
- Should viewers expect more re-releases after dialogue?
- What protections exist for young actors in classic cinema?
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