WIM WENDERS: DRIVEN BY MUSIC
Alte Oper, Frankfurt
‘I can’t imagine a film of mine in which music doesn’t play a major role.’
Wim Wenders
As one of the most important directors of our time, Wim Wenders has written half a century of film history. Since his breakthrough with ALICE IN THE CITIES in the early 1970s, he has directed more than 30 feature films, including numerous award-winning classics such as PARIS, TEXAS, WINGS OF DESIRE, and BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB. Throughout his entire cinematic oeuvre, music plays a particularly significant role: „Music and film belong together for me, because music also means seeing with your ears,“ says Wim Wenders. „I can’t imagine a film of mine in which music doesn’t play a major role.“ This central role of music will be the focus when the Alte Oper Frankfurt hosts a festival in honor of the filmmaker’s recently celebrated 80th birthday from Wednesday, March 11, to Friday, March 13, 2026. The festival, featuring film screenings, live music, and discussions, was developed in collaboration with Wim Wenders and will also allow him to speak in person.
The program will include BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB and THE SOUL OF A MAN, two films by Wim Wenders in which music itself becomes the subject. Each screening will be followed by a musical continuation of the story—either with live music from Cuba or with blues sounds. The festival will also present THE SKLADANOWSKY BROTHERS, a lesser-known film by Wim Wenders, which he made together with graduates of the University of Television and Film. This tribute to two pioneers of film history will be accompanied by live music and commentary at the Alte Oper. Additionally, Wim Wenders will be featured three times during the festival. In a specially designed lecture-performance for the event, he will reflect on how music remains a driving force in his filmmaking. He will also discuss his passion for music in a conversation with singer Wolfgang Niedecken.
The festival is a continuation of an exhibition by the DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum, which will pay tribute to the extensive and significant body of work by the director. From March 11, 2026, to October 18, 2026, the film museum will honor his career.
Wim Wenders is looking forward to the festival: „Just last year, when the great, sadly now deceased Sebastião Salgado presented his magnificent final work AMAZȎNIA at the Alte Oper, I had the privilege of experiencing the Grand Hall of the Alte Oper as an impressive cinema. Now, in this space and context, with the premise of music, being able to show my films is a great gift. I’m looking forward to rediscovering my stories, images, and music, which have accompanied me for decades, together with the Frankfurt audience.“
Artistic Director Dr. Markus Fein adds: „Wim Wenders’ works are part of our collective visual memory—many of his film scenes have left an indelible mark. It’s even more beautiful to change the perspective for this festival: away from the iconic image, toward the sound. We are focusing on music as the driving force of storytelling, highlighting a very personal aspect of the director’s work. I’m especially happy that we were able to shape this festival together with Wim Wenders, that we get to welcome him personally, and that we can be directly guided by him into his world.“