Wim Wenders - Wings of Desire

Summary "Damiel: When the child was a child, it was the time of these questions. Why am I me, and why not you? Why am I here, and why not there? When did time

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"Damiel: When the child was a child, it was the time of these questions. Why am I me, and why not you? Why am I here, and why not there? When did time begin, and where does space end? Isn't life under the sun just a dream? Isn't what I see, hear, and smell just the mirage of a world before the world? Does evil actually exist, and are there people who are really evil? How can it be that I, who am I, wasn't before I was, and that sometime I, the one I am, no longer will be the one I am?"

This quote is from "Wings of Desire" ("Der Himmel über Berlin"), a 1987 film directed by Wim Wenders. This film is renowned for its philosophical depth and poetic exploration of human existence.

In "Wings of Desire," the character Damiel, an angel who experiences the world unseen by humans, expresses these profound questions. This monologue reflects the film's exploration of existential themes, such as the nature of being, the concept of self, the passage of time, and the mysteries of life and death.

Damiel's introspection, particularly in the lines "Why am I me, and why not you? Why am I here, and why not there?" highlights the universal human curiosity about identity and purpose. His query about the nature of reality, questioning the very essence of life and existence as a dream or a mirage, delves into philosophical ideas reminiscent of solipsism and metaphysical speculation.

"Wings of Desire" is celebrated for its meditative narrative and visually arresting style. The film not only tells a story of angels observing human life but also delves into the essence of what it means to be human. Damiel's journey from immortal observer to experiencing human life firsthand encapsulates a deep yearning for connection, experience, and understanding, themes that resonate profoundly with many viewers.