Wings of Desire 1988

In a Berlin split by the Berlin Wall, two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, silently observe the city, invisible to its human residents. They listen to the inner thoughts of various Berliners, such as a pregnant woman being rushed to the hospital, a young prostitute loitering on a busy street, and a despondent man who feels betrayed by his spouse. Their purpose in existence, as Cassiel puts it, is to “assemble, testify, preserve” the fabric of reality. These celestial beings have been part of Berlin since its inception, long before the first humans walked its streets.

Among the city’s inhabitants, they encounter an elderly man named Homer, who yearns for an “epic of peace”. Cassiel trails behind the old man as he searches for the now-demolished Potsdamer Platz, only to find himself confronted by the stark, graffiti-covered Wall. Although Damiel and Cassiel exist solely as watchful spirits, visible only to children and unable to engage with the material world, Damiel finds himself captivated by a deeply lonely circus trapeze artist named Marion. Living in a caravan in West Berlin, she faces the heartbreaking news that her troupe, the Circus Alekan, is shutting down. In her solitude, she dances to the haunting melodies of Crime & the City Solution, aimlessly wandering through the city.

Simultaneously, actor Peter Falk arrives in West Berlin to shoot a film about the city’s Nazi history. Once an angel himself, Falk grew weary of the eternal observer’s role and chose to embrace the mortal experience. As Damiel grapples with his own desire for a genuine, finite existence, he dreams of Marion. To his astonishment, Falk senses Damiel’s presence and shares insights about the joys of human life.

Eventually, Damiel decides to cast off his angelic nature. For the first time, he feels the rush of living: he bleeds, witnesses vibrant colors, enjoys food, and savors coffee. Meanwhile, Cassiel connects with a troubled youth on the brink of suicide. Despite Cassiel’s efforts to intervene, he is ultimately powerless to save the young man, leaving him haunted by this harrowing experience. Sensing the turmoil within Cassiel, Falk attempts to reach out, just as he did with Damiel, but Cassiel remains unwilling to abandon his celestial existence.

Eventually, Damiel encounters Marion at a bar during a concert featuring Nick Cave. She warmly acknowledges him and speaks of having finally discovered a love that feels profound and fulfilling. The following day, Damiel reflects on how his moments with Marion have opened his heart to wonder and granted him insights that transcend any celestial knowledge.