"A film about Germany's restored capital, Berlin, that is as much about cinema exploring its own language. With Wim Wenders in front of the camera and the off-screen voice of Jean-Luc Godard, anyone who cares about the cinema will luxuriate in this film. This is a film of great subtlety - a labyrinth of images and meditations, film extracts, pieces of writing and music... the cumulative effect is soothing and inspirational, ideas flying thick and fast... velvety and crisp..." Eddie Cockrell, Variety.
Special Agent Matti
Hard-core brain porn.
Yup, that's right, brain porn. If you wanna get down dirty with Derrida, if you get hard for Hegel, this film will get your wetware moist. There is more incomprehensible filmo-architectural discussion than you've had hot dinners. The language is obtuse, the ideology obscure and the imagery incomprehensible. Berlin-cinema is an art film for art film lovers.
Now, I am a pretty clued-up individual. I've studied various philosophies, filmmaking and interculturality and I still didn't get anything out of this film other than a headache and the overwhelming desire for a nap. Not good for 11 o'clock in the morning. In attempting to infuse a documentary with art, Samira has only managed to densify his subject matter. It's like looking for a tree in a forest.
I recommend that you throw this one back. Unless you're a hard-core movie masochist.
*
107 minutes (1:47 hours)
Film: 9 June 2000