wings of desire

This film follows an angel as he becomes mortal  in order to experience that which is human. He wants to connect, especially with a certain circus performer who when we meet her contemplates suicide, but recognizes her soul's match in the angel. This film questions what exactly it is to be human. Is it to interact with others, to enjoy a cup of coffee, to fly around in airplanes, or to read at a library? And what was it to be beyond that, angelic, unable to affect humans except to comfort them in times of need. The cinematography in this film was interesting in that it almost became its own perspective, as if the eye was another angel experiencing all of the things that the main angel did as well. the perspective shots even followed the characters outside windows and through walls. The divide between color and black and white was an interesting comment between the difference between what is human and immortal. Surprisingly there is not much talk of religion or God in the film, only utilizing humanity as the utmost utopia. the film is set in Berlin, before the wall came down. apparently rabitts live in the no man's land between East and West Berlin. The angel's freedom to move between the two sections of the city is contrasted with many character's memories of what used to be in the rubble that makes up berlin.

Also interesting is that Peter Falk plays himself as another fallen angel who has pawned his armor for his starting money. He spends much of the film finding a hat and aiding the fallen angel to find his match and his desire.