What's happened
Wim Wenders has withdrawn The Wrong Move from all current channels after admitting Nastassja Kinski was not adequately protected in a topless scene at age 13. The film, which marked Kinski’s debut, will remain unavailable until a dialogue with Kinski and film bodies leads to a mutually agreed solution.
What's behind the headline?
Context and stakes
- The move highlights ongoing tensions between cinematic legacy and evolving standards on child protection in film.
- Wenders cites a “broad dialogue” with Kinski and film bodies as a path to a resolution, signaling potential future edits or re-release.
- This update may set a precedent for how studios handle archival material involving underage performers.
What this means for audiences
- Viewers may see limited access to a classic title until a consensus is reached.
- The case could influence discussions around consent, aging, and retrospective edits in historical cinema.
Possible outcomes
- A mutually agreed re-edit or new contextualization without removing the film entirely.
- Broader industry conversations about safeguarding actors and archival releases.
How we got here
The 1975 film features Nastassja Kinski as a teen acrobat in a topless scene. Wenders has issued an apology, stating the need for society to confront controversial 20th-century cinema and ensure better protection for young actors. The Wim Wenders Foundation owns the film and is withdrawing it from distribution.
Our analysis
AP News reports that Wim Wenders has withdrawn The Wrong Move from all current forms of distribution, apologizing to Nastassja Kinski and proposing a broad dialogue involving Kinski, the German Film Academy, and other groups. The Independent and France 24 corroborate the withdrawal and the apology, noting the film’s debut status for Kinski and the foundation’s ownership.
Go deeper
- Will The Wrong Move be re-edited or contextualized for future release?
- How are other studios handling archival material involving minors?
- What role will Kinski play in the recovery process?
More on these topics
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Nastassja Kinski - German actress
Nastassja Aglaia Kinski is a German actress and former model who has appeared in more than 60 films in Europe and the United States. Her worldwide breakthrough was with Stay as You Are.
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Wim Wenders - German filmmaker
Ernst Wilhelm "Wim" Wenders is a German filmmaker, playwright, author, and photographer. He is a major figure in New German Cinema.
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Germany - Country in Europe
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south.