Nick Cavehas written a passionate responseto Wim Wenders’ comments on politics in art at the Berlin Film Festival.
The veteran arthouse director Wenders, known for films includingParis, Texas, Wings Of Desire andPerfect Days,was the Jury President at the Berlin International Film Festival this month andwas asked for his comments on whether films can trigger political change.
Wenders said that he believes filmmakers “have to stay out of politics because if we make movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics. But we are the counterweight of politics, we are the opposite of politics. We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians.”
Now, Cave has responded to these remarks in an answer to afanquestion on hisRed Hand Filesblog. Explaining that he has known Wenders for over 40 years, Cave said his comments ”moved me deeply”.
“It reaffirmed my understanding of him as a passionately principled, thoughtful, and courageous man –a person who cares profoundly about film and the state of the creative world,” Cave continued. “His words were a caring, gentle, and protective gesture, directed not only at the artistic community but at humanity itself, and despite the predictable pile-on, I suspect that many artists,maybe most, will genuinely appreciate his words.”
He went on tospeculatethat Wenders might have been “trying to save the Berlinale from succumbing to the fate of those festivals that have become little more than a narrowing of the cultural imagination”,criticisingmany modern events forhaving become subject to “a single monolithic ideology – one voice, one cause, one dissent”.
Cave continued: “I do not imagine for a moment that Wim thinks art should ignore the great and persistent injustices of the world. He seems to believe, as I do, that using art to raise awareness of these injustices can be extremely effective, butperhaps healso believes that art is more than the sum of its utility; it is more than a tool or a weapon.”
“Maybe he believes, as I do, that at its core, great art exists purely for its own sake – and that at its most transformative it reveals itself subtly, ambiguously, and curiously; that it is something we approach with awe and wonder, that humbles us whilst also enlarging our hearts, that works its way into our souls and spirits, guiding us towards what is good, beautiful, and true. Art captivates us and imparts a sense of what it means to be human, broadening our understanding of the world and our own place within it –that we have the right to love, laugh, cry, and be thrilled by the world. This is art’s largesse – to remind us that life is worth living.”
Cave has often spoken about the intersection of politics and art. In 2023,he toldNMEthat he believesthere is “some correlation between transgressive and badbehaviourand good art”.
“It’s no accident that thereally greatstuff is often made by the most problematic people,” he added.“Idon’tquite understand it, butthere’scertainly no metric that says that virtuousness makes good art. If you start looking around for the good people who make good art, the conversation shuts down very quickly. All the great stuffseems to bemade by people who are in some way, out of order in some way or another.
“I just value art and see that the need for it is too urgent to be fucking around and taking this stuff down.That’swhere my problem with the cancel culture business begins and ends.It’snot some great fightI’mhaving with these people. I just worry about the world and we need as much good stuff aspossible.”
Cave also said last year thathe is “neither on the left nor on the right”as he finds both sides “unrecognisable”,and he has also said thatlistening to opposing ideas makes for a healthier society and can be used as a toolto “liberate the soul of our world”.
He made a similar point in an interview withThe Guardianin 2024, whenhe criticised woke culture for its “lack of mercy” and “lack of forgiveness”. In 2020, hegot in touch witha fan toexplain why he has an aversion to bringing politics into his lyrics.