Wim Wenders was born in Germany weeks after the end of the World War II, and helped to re-define the German Cinema by producing some of the most impressive creative work ever captured on film.  Part of the same broad cultural trend in post-war Germany that also included fellow filmmakers Fassbinder and   Herzog.

Wenders' early short films reflected both his own native German roots and a deep appreciation for American cinematic and cultural traditions.  His first feature "Summer in the City" was followed by the screenplay adaptation of Peter Handke's short story, "The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick," an existential mystery that is considered one of his most influential films.  The films he made in Germany in the 1970s include "The Scarlet Letter," "Alice in the Cities," "Kings of the Road," and "The American Friend" which starred Dennis Hopper.

Wenders is equally adept at the documentary tradition as he is with dramatic works, making his first feature documentary in 1980 with "Lightening Over Water," a portrait of American filmmaker Nicholas Ray; later, Wenders' "Tokyo-Ga" would be a meditation on Japan as seen through the films of Yasujiro Ozu, another of Wenders' cinematic heroes; while "Buena Vista Social Club," about a reunion of retired Cuban musicians, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

Working in America for the first time in 1982, Wenders made "Hammett" starring Frederic Forrest for Francis Ford Coppola, before scoring his biggest critical success with "Paris, Texas".  The film swept the major awards at the Cannes Film Festival and earned Wenders a BAFTA Award for Best Director.  His next major feature, "Wings of Desire," written by Wenders and Peter Handke, was equally successful and is regarded by many film critics as one of the most influential and creative films ever made.  

His lifelong love for music is evident by his numerous recent concert projects with Willie Nelson and U2 and his direction of "The Soul of a Man" for the PBS series "The Blues". His recent feature film credits include "The Million Dollar Hotel" (with Mel Gibson), "Land of Plenty" and "Don't Come Knocking", starring Sam Shepard, Jessica Lange, Eva Marie Saint and Tim Roth.

Awards for Wim Wenders :

Academy Awards, USA

Best Documentary Nomination for Buena Vista Social Club (1999)

Cannes Film Festival

Won Golden Palm Wings of Desire (1987)

Won Golden Palm Paris, Texas (1985)

Won Best Director Wings of Desire (1987)

Won Grand Jury Prize Far Away So Close (1993)

Nominated Golden Palm Don't Come Knocking (2005)

Nominated Golden Palm The End of Violence (1997)

Nominated Golden Palm Hammett (1982)

Nominated Golden Palm American Friend (1977)

Nominated Golden Palm Kings of the Road (1976)

BAFTA Awards

2000 Nominated BAFTA Film Award for Buena Vista Social Club (1999)

1985 Won BAFTA Film Award Best Direction for Paris, Texas

European Film Awards

Nominated Best Director for Don't Come Knocking (2005)

1999 Won Best Documentary Award for Buena Vista Social Club

Won Film Award in Gold Outstanding Individual Achievement:

Direction for The End of Violence (1997)

Independent Spirit Awards 1998

Nominated Independent Spirit Award Best Director for The End of Violence (1997)