Der Himmel über Berlin

Berlin, the 80s – from today’s perspective, the scarred city with its empty lots and the wall already seems like a place fallen out of time (cinematography: Henri Alekan). Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander) are genuinely from another world, wandering the divided city in melancholy fashion to listen to the thoughts of the city’s inhabitants and to try and offer them comfort. That is, until Damiel decides to give up his life as an angel to become mortal. His fall from one world into another is made manifest in literal fashion as well as in the sudden shift from black and white to color. In a colorful patterned jacket, Damiel sets off as a fallen angel to discover the world and humanity. (mg)