Wim Wenders on 2025: Europe is a beautiful idea - we can defend it against nationalist attacks

It’s always a bit daunting sitting opposite a cinematic titan.

Unless that particular titan is the always affable Wim Wenders.

This year’s recipient of the European Film Academy’s Lifetime Achievement award, the German filmmaker behind such classics as Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire, Buena Vista Social Club and one of our favourite films of 2023, the quietly captivating Perfect Days, remains as humble, insightful and friendly as ever.  

Still, it’s not every day you’re celebrated by your peers - the “family” you were the president of for almost a quarter of a century - and Wenders is THE major figure of New German Cinema, so it’s best behaviour and minimal swooning.  

Euronews Culture sat down with Wim Wenders at this year’s European Film Awards to talk about his latest award, how budget cuts shouldn’t affect culture, the films that marked his life, and his hopes for 2025.

Euronews Culture: I had the pleasure of speaking to you last year in Lyon, where you won the Prix Lumière. And this year, you’re receiving the European Film Academy’s Lifetime Achievement award. What does this mean to you?

Wim Wenders: Last year was very special, and this year’s award is special too because it's from my family. I've been involved with the European Film Academy since its beginning, for all its 36 years - and 24 of those years as their president. So I feel it's family. And normally you don't get an award from your family. They just pat you on the shoulder and say, ‘Well done, boy’ and then they go. So it's very special for me.

As president of the European Film Academy from 1996 to 2020, you've been ideally placed to contribute to and witness the evolution of European cinema over the years.  What do you make of its progress and is it evolving