Director Wim Wenders on episodes from Cathedrals of Culture

February 28, 2015

A Special Projects Committee Global Cinema Series Q&A in New York

On February 28, the Eastern Region Special Projects Committee’s Global Cinema Series screened three episodes from the German documentary series Cathedrals of Culture. The series asks the question “If buildings could talk, what would they say about us?” and provides answers in the form of short films directed by Robert Redford, Michael Madsen, Wim Wenders, Karim Aïnouz, Michael Glawogger, and Margreth Olin. The screening in the DGA’s New York Theater presented the episodes covering the Berlin Philharmonic Hall directed by Wenders, the National Library of Russia directed by Glawogger, and Norway’s Halden Prison directed by Madsen.

Following the screening, Wenders, who also served as executive producer of the series, discussed the making of Cathedrals of Culture in a conversation moderated by Director Michael Almereyda (Cymbeline).

Wenders’ other films include Academy Award-nominated documentaries The Salt of the Earth, Pina and Buena Vista Social Club; as well as the features  Don’t Come Knocking, The Million Dollar Hotel, Wings of Desire, and Paris, Texas. He has been a member of the DGA since 1996.

Pictures & Video

photos by Marcie Revens

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FULL TALK (32:43): Wim Wenders speaks about his passion for natural depth 3D and his new series, Cathedrals of Culture.
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HIGHLIGHT: Wenders approached his episode of Cathedrals of Culture through five characters who inhabit the Berlin Philharmonic Hall.
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HIGHLIGHT: As Executive Producer of the series, Wenders explains the one idea he asked the other directors to explore in their episodes.
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HIGHLIGHT: Wim Wenders discusses some of the qualities of the Berlin Philharmonic Hall that inspired him to portray the building using 3D motion pictures.
Director and Executive Producer Wim Wenders speaks about the making of the documentary series Cathedrals of Culture.
Eastern Region Special Projects Committee Chair Raymond De Felitta introduces the screening of three episodes from the six-part documentary series Cathedrals of Culture.
An image of the Berlin Philharmonic building from the Cathedrals of Culture episode directed by Wim Wenders.
Directors Michael Almereyda (moderator) and Wim Wenders talk about the making of the documentary series Cathedrals of Culture.
An image of Norway’s Halden Prison from the Cathedrals of Culture episode directed by Michael Glawogger.
Director Michael Almereyda asks Wim Wenders a question about the making of the documentary series Cathedrals of Culture.
An image of the National Library of Russia in St. Petersburg from the Cathedrals of Culture episode directed by Michael Madsen.
The DGA New York Theater audience learns about the making of the documentary series Cathedrals of Culture.
Director Wim Wenders chats with member of the audience.
Directors Michael Almereyda (moderator) and Wim Wenders pose for a photo following the post-screening discussion about the documentary series Cathedrals of Culture at the DGA Theater in New York.

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