Anselm - Das Rauschen der Zeit

Wim Wenders is one of the greatest German filmmakers alive, if not the greatest. Anselm Kiefer is one of the greatest German artists, if not the greatest. Both will turn 80 in 2025. The meeting between the two takes place in 'Anselm', the documentary film about Kiefer that Wenders made in 2023.

The categorization as a documentary is very approximate. It is not a documentary or a classic biographical film, nor even a film with and about ordinary art. It is rather a poem written with the artistic means of cinema, which Wim Wenders dedicates to Anselm Kiefer, with his participation. If a term of comparison is needed, it would be 'Pina', the film that Wenders dedicated in 2011 to the choreographer Pina Bausch, to her life, work and the institution she founded. Using the same technique of 3D imaging, the filmmaker introduces us to the world created by the artist. And this is not an easy world to live in, to understand, to accept. Anselm Kiefer (like Wenders, for that matter) was born and raised in the ruins of defeated Germany, he grew up and was educated among people who not only tried to forget but also to repress feelings of responsibility - individual and collective - for what happened during the war and especially for the Holocaust. The dialogues with the artist (when he is alive) in the usual biographical documentaries and the flash-backs in fictional cinematic biographies are replaced in 'Anselm' with the artist's works from the different periods of his life. However, Anselm Kiefer's works have not been spared of controversy, starting with his provocative debuts in which he tried through the means of art (photography in that case) to awaken from lethargy a Germany that was complacent in oblivion. Alongside Kiefer, his son and grandson appear, embodying the artist at early ages in his biography. The soundtrack is dominated by the reading of several poems by Paul Celan, the German-speaking Jewish poet born in Czernowitz, a Holocaust survivor who put into words better than anyone the struggle of the artist trying to create something after the Holocaust. I don't know how many of the film's viewers know Celan or are aware that he committed suicide in Paris in 1970.

Visually, the film is impressive and monumental, as are many of Kiefer's works. The color palette is that of his works, and the 3D technology transports the viewers inside them. It is no coincidence, I think, that many of Kiefer's paintings, even when they have a rectangular frame, have relief and a third dimension. In a few sequences we see at work the artist who has been creating in huge ateliers since the 80s - former industrial spaces or hangars where his gigantic works can be created and housed. Watching the film 'Anselm' was for me an opportunity to get to know in more depth an artist whom I have been following and appreciating for many years. I think that most viewers who already know Anselm Kiefer will have similar feelings. Those who are not familiar with the artist and his work should, however, I think, do a minimum of research before watching this film, in order to better appreciate the art of Kiefer and that of Wim Wenders.

Wim Wender does a documentary on famous german artist Anselm Kiefer and like his Pina Bausch documentary in 3D. Unlike "Pina" which really benefited from the 3D, because dance is an art form where space is important, you don't need to watch "Anselm" in 3D.

The first 70 minutes are very impressive shots of Kiefers vast former studio complex at Barjac and of Kiefer artworks. Intercut with contemporary media reports and recreated scene from his childhood (played by Wenders son) and the beginning of his career (played by Kiefers son). All of this is very good, Wenders let's the images convey the connections between work and life and other inspirations. Everything is filmed and staged nicely. But in the last 20 minutes the actor playing childhood Kiefer climbs into Kiefers big 2022 Venice exhibition where the real Kiefer is also present. And what follows is 20 minutes of a visual metaphor so flat and obvious every first semester art film student would be too embarrassed to put that into his film. Do yourself a favor: once St Mark's Square in Venice shows up flee the cinema.

Ps. Last years documenta scandal looks even weirder once you get reminded that Anselm Kiefer started his career with a photo series of him traveling the world and doing Hitler salutes in his father's Wehrmacht uniform. While last year germany's biggest art exhibition was branded as a whole antisemitic because of a single motive within one huge "Where is Wally"-like work.

A cupid documentary where natural beauty intermixes and is interlaced with extravagant creations, "poetic" rendering and 2.5-3D paintings combined with a horrible flow and below-average frozen entertainment.

The art is interesting, the creations and "paintings" so so and even artists would ineluctably have a hard time appreciating it.

Budget is wasted on this.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 2.5
• Production value/impact: 5
• Development: 6.5
• Realism: 5
• Entertainment: 2
• Acting: 4
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 7.5
• VFX: 7
• Music/score/sound: 5.5
• Depth: 5
• Logic: 2.5
• Flow: 1
• Documentary/drama: 5
• Ending: 2.

This movie offers a poetic interpretation of Anslem Kieffer's illustrious career, steering away from the rigid confines of a hardcore informative documentary. For those already acquainted with Kieffer's artistic journey, this film may not unravel new layers of information, but it promises a captivating and immersive experience that goes beyond the boundaries of conventional biographical narratives. As we delve into the intricacies of this unique cinematic venture, we find that it transcends the traditional documentary format, inviting viewers to engage with Kieffer's world on a profoundly emotional and artistic level.

Anslem Kieffer, a renowned artist known for his thought-provoking and evocative works, becomes the central focus of this film. Rather than adopting a fact-driven approach to recounting his life, the filmmakers opt for a more creative and subjective lens, weaving together a tapestry of visual and auditory elements that mirror the essence of Kieffer's artistry. Through this poetic rendering, the film seeks to capture the spirit and emotions that fuel Kieffer's creative process, providing viewers with a visceral connection to the artist and his oeuvre.

"Anselm" by Wim Wenders shows us Impressive images of Anselm Kiefer's work and his creativity in creating those. The shots from the studio in Barjac, France, are particularly great, even though I saw the film in the 2D version. Towards the end the documentary falls off a bit (Venice scenes).

Overall, I still was a bit disappointed. Although you see many of the artist's works, you learn practically nothing about the artist himself, what I expected. What drives him, who he is, how he became an artist. The difficulties and challenges. I now have to research about him online myself to learn more about the person as the movie was more like an artist catalogue showing off the artwork - but this was beautifully done.