In this age of consumerism film criticism all over the world - in America first but also in Europe - has become something that caters for the movie industry instead of being a counterbalance.
Wim WendersRead
But I think that the spirit of protectionism would be the grave of European cinema. You cannot protect something by building a fence around it and thinking that this will help it survive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Protectionism in cinema is counterproductive and detrimental to its survival.
Wim Wenders emphasizes that attempting to shield European cinema from external influences through protectionism is a flawed approach. Rather than fostering its growth, isolating it creates stagnation and undermines its vitality, suggesting that engagement and openness are vital for the art form's survival and evolution.
Themes
ProtectionismCinemaEuropeanArtCultureOpenness
In practice
Example use cases
During a film festival panel on the future of European cinema, one could use this quote to highlight the need for international collaboration.
More from Wim Wenders
All quotes →The most political decision you make is where you direct people's eyes. In other words, what you show people, day in and day out, is political...And the most politically indoctrinating thing you can do to a human being is to show him, every day, that there can be no change.
Wim WendersRead
Every photo, every 'ONCE' in time is also the beginning of a story starting 'once upon a time...' Every photo is the first frame of a movie.
Wim WendersRead
Any film that supports the idea that things can be changed is a great film in my eyes.
Wim WendersRead
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