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Anselm

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Anselm

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Summary

Revealing documentary exploring the life, career and work of Anselm Kiefer - one of the greatest contemporary artists of all time

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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Tom Folley

Film-maker Wim Wenders paints a very personal picture of his friend and fellow German, contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer, in this singular documentary. Born in 1945 (as was Wenders), Kiefer grew up among the rubble of the postwar years and the charged symbolism of his work - concrete, ash, lead, plants - often reflects this, as well as busting taboos surrounding Germany's dark past: "When chaos is bordered by a rectangle," he says, "then it becomes a painting." Wenders's film cleverly eschews overt narrative or chronology and instead introduces us to Kiefer's major themes, while following the artist around his various cavernous studios. But there is also time for imaginative interpretation, with vignettes that depict the younger Kiefer discovering his early preoccupations. In a poetic flourish, these vignettes eventually rejoin the older man, reflecting his lifelong effort to craft a border around collective memory and mythology. What emerges is an immersive take on an artist of rare vision and courage.

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7.2/10

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Credits

Crew

rolenameDirectorWim Wenders

Details

Theatrical distributor

Curzon

Released on

2023-12-08

Languages

English | German

Formats

Colour

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