German filmmaker Wim Wenders has pulled his 1975 film "Wrong Move" out of circulation over a nude scene featuring actor Nastassja Kinski, who was 13 years old at the time of filming. Kinski, now 65, has long demanded the scene be removed from the movie.
Wenders, the celebrated director known for "Wings of Desire," "Paris, Texas," and the contemplative Japanese-language drama "Perfect Days," confirmed the news in a statement released via his foundation's official Instagram account.
Kinski has campaigned for years to have the controversial scene edited out. "Although I didn't know much at the age of 13, I could already tell that it wasn't right," she said in a recent interview with the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, as reported by Variety.
The Wim Wenders Foundation, which holds the rights to Wenders' films, announced that it has withdrawn "Wrong Move" from all forms of distribution and exhibition. The statement read: "As the only person responsible at the time for 'Wrong Move' who is still here, I recognize that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected back then. For that, I apologize to you, Nastassja, unreservedly, no ifs and buts."
The non-profit foundation further stated: "The non-profit Wim Wenders Foundation, which owns the film, is withdrawing it from all current forms of distribution and exhibition. Streaming services, television broadcasters and distribution partners will be instructed to cease public access to the film."
Wenders acknowledged that the many reactions, comments, and conversations played a significant role in sharpening his understanding of the events. "For that, I am grateful. Only an open and respectful exchange can lead us to reconsider positions and reassess responsibilities. It is necessary for our society to find appropriate ways of dealing with controversial film works from the 20th Century and to face new learning processes and inclusive perspectives regarding cinema," the statement continued.
The statement also promised that the film will be made available again only after a "mutually agreed solution" with Kinski is reached.
During a recent award ceremony, Wenders had been more combative, but his stance has softened in the official statement. At the ceremony, he said he would not shoot the scene today and admitted the pain it caused Kinski, whom he described as an actor "whom I deeply admired, and still do." However, he also questioned whether he had the right to alter the film retrospectively. "I can't blame the 29-year-old young man I was then, 50 years ago, who made a film of his time; wanting, in a way, to capture the zeitgeist," he said at the time.
After "Wrong Move," Wenders and Kinski collaborated on "Paris, Texas" and "Faraway, So Close!"
