Faraway, So Close! (1993)
"In weiter Ferne, so nah!" (original title)

A group of angels in the German capital look longingly upon the life of humans.

Director:

Wim Wenders

Writers:

Richard Reitinger, Wim Wenders,

Stars:

Otto Sander, Bruno Ganz, Mikhail Gorbachev

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Otto Sander	...	Cassiel
Bruno Ganz	...	Damiel
Mikhail Gorbachev	...	Als Gast (as Michail S. Gorbatschow)
Nastassja Kinski	...	Raphaela
Martin Olbertz	...	Sterbender
Aline Krajewski	...	Raissa
Monika Hansen	...	Hanna / Gertrud Becker
Rüdiger Vogler	...	Phillip Winter
Heinz Rühmann	...	Konrad
Tilmann Vierzig	...	Der Junge Konrad
Hanns Zischler	...	Dr. Becker
Antonia Westphal	...	Die Junge Hanna
Ingo Schmitz	...	Anton Becker
Günter Meisner	...	Fälscher
Sascha Wohlatz	...	Jugendlicher

Storyline

A group of angels in the German capital look longingly upon the life of humans.

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Plot Keywords:

angel | sequel | post cold war | afterlife | german reunification | 

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Genres:

Fantasy | Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German French English

Release Date:

21 December 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Faraway, So Close!

Filming Locations:

Alexanderplatz, Mitte, Berlin, Germany

Box Office

Gross:

$810,455 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bioskop Film, Road Movies Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mikhail Gorbachev only appears because his secretary was familiar with the movies of Wim Wenders and was a great admirer. She talked Gorbachev into giving up a couple of hours to do the cameo as he was on a trip to Germany anyway.

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Goofs

After Cassiel meets Anton Becker and returns to Angelo's pizzeria, he meets Emit Flesti and Damiel puts his flour stained hands on Flesti's shoulder, leaving a white mark on the black suit. The next time we see Flesti, moments later, there is no white mark.

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Quotes

Emit Flesti: Let me explain a couple of things. Time is short. That's the first thing. For the weasel, Time is a weasel. For the hero, Time is heroic. For the whore, Time is just another trick. If you're gentle, your Time is gentle. If you're in a hurry, Time flies. Time is a servant, if you are its master. Time is your god, if you are its dog. We are the creators of Time, the victims of Time, and the killers of Time. Time is timeless. That's the second thing. You are the clock, Cassiel.

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Crazy Credits

The film is dedicated to actor Curt Bois who worked with Wim Wenders in "Der Himmel über Berlin".

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Connections

Referenced in Begleiter (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Tightrope"
Written and Performed by Laurie Anderson

User Reviews

Wings was a story, this a poem

To enjoy this movie, view it as a poem. It relies on the language of the heart and asks its viewers to see it as it truly is, through the same myopic eyes to try and understand a dream. There is the duality of existence we all face, mirrored through the experience of an angel who falls to earth, who falls precisely because he can no longer contain himself within the restrictions of his identity. The central metaphor of this movie is about the passion, truth and love we are all promised, should we choose to live life as we were meant. There are the difficulties of trying to live out our singular purpose, the disappointments of relation, the trials of being part of something greater than self. In all these, there is also the beauty inherent, and ultimate understanding. The triumph of beautiful release, when we realise that all that has gone before is both behind us and a part of what we are, and the relief of becoming an individual, and understanding and embracing aspirations gained and lost.