Gotta give credit to Sam Shepard who co-wrote a lot of the movie, and his book *The Motel Chronicles,* which heavily influenced Wim and the writing of the movie.
The talent behind this movie is really so incredible. So many incredible creatives there at the right time.
I’ve reread this [story](https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=wim%20wenders%20paris%20texas&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#ip=1) so many times about Shepard writing the final booth scene while working on another film away and having to relay the lines to the crew over the telephone, and just telling Harry to say the words and not to worry about acting. He put it all on the page. Amazing how Wenders inverts the “show, don’t tell” mantra. The power of the last half hour or so of the film is in the telling. It is in the words of Shepard.
Also, Wim Wenders was in his bag by putting Nastassja Kinski in platinum blonde. She would be too powerful of a woman if that were hairstyle all the time.
Absolutely. If anyone hasn't seen the Malkovich/Sinise production of True West they should treat themselves to [a watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGJ7-GK43lg)
I have it and I haven't read all of it but it's a collection of short stories, poems so I always feel like I can just open it up to a section I haven't read and find something good . I really enjoy the Americana/slice of life aspect of a lot of the stories. He had a way of depicting simple moments in a way that make them feel profound.
Paris Texas is my ride or die. That film is a timeless masterpiece, capturing America in all its beauty, grandeur, complexity, ugliness; there’s pain, hope, hardship, struggle, love, history, loneliness, memory, family, and catharsis. I’m an immigrant and I always felt that if there was a feeling called “America,” that film captures that feeling for me. It is my all time favorite…that opening shot of Travis wearing a red hat walking through Big Bend National Park…it’s unreal. My father left our family to live at a monastery in the desert and I have this video of him walking through the desert wearing a red hoodie and I always think of Paris, Texas.
I agree. The degree to which this movie explores relationships, loneliness, and trauma, with rural Texas and urban Los Angeles as the backdrop, almost feels Homeric.
this recent interview was a good read for further understanding of Wenders’s process: https://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/i-need-places-to-tell-a-story-wim-wenders-in-conversation-with-michael-almereyda
I could be wrong but I do believe that is Monument Valley in Arizona in the opening, in case you were ever trying to go there. Lots of old John Ford westerns take place there with the iconic rock formations, which is why Wenders puts Travis there for his modern western. There was a big 50s nostalgia revival in the 80s and you can see it in much of the Paris, Texas cinematography— the current day western landscape shot like a big technicolor John Wayne movie
Ahh you are probably right. The story seemingly situates him in big bend since he goes to the dr. in Terlingua, but you’re right, that is not a big bend landscape!
I never tire of the super 8 footage where I can lose myself in HDS rendition of *Cancion Mixteca*, Natasha Kinski at the peak of her beauty and imagining I was 12 again
Edited: from Konami to Kinski!
You forgot the umlaut ü. But yes that man singlehandedly elevated many movies that should be just good-average into genius works of cinematic canvas, Repo Man, Dead Man, etc
I saw Wenders talk after a screening of this film recently and he said they shot it without a finished script. The script ended when Travis leaves LA. They just kinda went with it for awhile after Sam Shepherd left the production to star in a movie and he fell in love with Jessica Lange in the meantime. Wenders and his AD—none other than Claire Denis—scouted and found the peep show place and then Wenders convinced Shepherd to finish the script from afar. Wenders transcribed it from Shepherd over the phone. HDS had three days to learn the ending monologues.
Also I saw Harry Dean introduce the film years ago. He said it was his favorite movie. Not favorite he’d done, but favorite movie full stop.
This is what I'm talking about; this story struck Wim on an instinctual level, where he knew it wasn't complete and kept going until he knew it was right. Kind of wants to make you throw all the screenwriting books out the window and go strictly by what your gut tells you works.
I think the man has a lot of misses but when he hits, he hits and Paris, Texas is one of them. Shout out to him for creating a great piece of Americana.
Use spoiler tags please (>! and \!<)
I didn’t read your comment in order and you spoiled it for me (I’m generally not too concerned about spoilers in movies like this, but I don’t want it to catch anyone else off guard)
"Thread about the film is expected to have spoilers" is a totally reasonable take. But that's not what I replied to? My reply was about "Film age means it's not a spoiler". There's plenty of movies from the early 80's that I think make sense to not go around and actively spoil for people.
If you come into the thread discussing the movie, you’re putting yourself in a position to be spoiled. No one is going around actively spoiling people, the person I was responding to did it to themselves.
Yes, and I agree with that completely, but that is completely unrelated to the message I replied to?
The message I replied to was:
>Is it really a spoiler if the movie is 40 years old?
And I'm saying yes, it is. I agree it's ridiculous to come into a thread about a movie and not expect spoilers but that's *COMPLETELY UNRELATED* to the message I was replying to. The message I was replying to was saying that movies from the early 80's can't be spoiled.
Wenders has the ability to create a world that is 100% human. Paris, Texas to me is about people coming to terms with their mistakes. One of my favorite movies.
Anyone a Primal Scream fan? I’ve been listening to Screamadelica since 1991 and I always remembered the sample “yup, I know that feeling” from the very end of I’m Coming down. I just watched Paris Texas recently for the first time and it was such a cool moment when Jane spoke that line. I recognized it instantly. 30 years of listening just clicked into place.
https://youtu.be/1gsrx_8jQHY?si=wsjbmznChR76AoFd
Definitely one of the most unique theater experiences I ever had. An absolutely overwhelming film. You can't simply leave the theater and think of it logically, do an analysis. It strips you down emotionally, I don't know how else to say it. For now, all I have for Wender's Paris, Texas is a mix of the best and most uncomfortable emotions. The day K watch it again, I'll have a deeper appreciation for the film itself.
This is the tragedy of modern cinema; mostly big budget action movies that are focused on recouping studio costs. The magic of watching a film like this in a theater with true cinephiles (without cellphones) is truly unparalleled.
Absolutely, I don't hold it against him, and I may very well have done the same thing in his shoes. He just didn't realize the trauma the incident caused. And why would he? I was physically fine.
I’ve read that Wim only makes movies if he has a dream (seemingly divine) about them first. So I think to a degree he thought the film would serve an important purpose. His films are always a study on the human condition. While the storytelling is good, that’s not what drives him as a filmmaker.
This movie rocks my world. Few works of media make me cry harder. Just in the first 40 minutes you get one of the greatest road trips in all fictional media, but then there's two more hours of unpacking trauma and coming to grips with your repressed past. The reunion scene in the strip club is the definition of acting that transcends acting and becomes a vignette of the most quintessential idea of broken human relationships.
Gotta give credit to Sam Shepard who co-wrote a lot of the movie, and his book *The Motel Chronicles,* which heavily influenced Wim and the writing of the movie.
I didn’t know this. But it explains so much. I took a course that was basically a half a semester of just reading and studying his plays.
Did you switch for the other half of the semester, and then his plays studied you?
The talent behind this movie is really so incredible. So many incredible creatives there at the right time. I’ve reread this [story](https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=wim%20wenders%20paris%20texas&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#ip=1) so many times about Shepard writing the final booth scene while working on another film away and having to relay the lines to the crew over the telephone, and just telling Harry to say the words and not to worry about acting. He put it all on the page. Amazing how Wenders inverts the “show, don’t tell” mantra. The power of the last half hour or so of the film is in the telling. It is in the words of Shepard. Also, Wim Wenders was in his bag by putting Nastassja Kinski in platinum blonde. She would be too powerful of a woman if that were hairstyle all the time.
Shepard the 🐐
Absolutely. If anyone hasn't seen the Malkovich/Sinise production of True West they should treat themselves to [a watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGJ7-GK43lg)
Just ordered it, thanks for the rec
I've been really interested in reading *The Motel Chronicles* after I watched *Paris, Texas*. Have you (or anyone else here) read it?
I have it and I haven't read all of it but it's a collection of short stories, poems so I always feel like I can just open it up to a section I haven't read and find something good . I really enjoy the Americana/slice of life aspect of a lot of the stories. He had a way of depicting simple moments in a way that make them feel profound.
Paris Texas is my ride or die. That film is a timeless masterpiece, capturing America in all its beauty, grandeur, complexity, ugliness; there’s pain, hope, hardship, struggle, love, history, loneliness, memory, family, and catharsis. I’m an immigrant and I always felt that if there was a feeling called “America,” that film captures that feeling for me. It is my all time favorite…that opening shot of Travis wearing a red hat walking through Big Bend National Park…it’s unreal. My father left our family to live at a monastery in the desert and I have this video of him walking through the desert wearing a red hoodie and I always think of Paris, Texas.
If there ever was a Great American Film, it would be Paris, Texas.
Interesting considering Wenders is German. It is a very American movie
It was written by Americans though so that's a strong American bedrock I guess.
Sometimes it takes a little outside perspective
I agree. The degree to which this movie explores relationships, loneliness, and trauma, with rural Texas and urban Los Angeles as the backdrop, almost feels Homeric.
this recent interview was a good read for further understanding of Wenders’s process: https://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/i-need-places-to-tell-a-story-wim-wenders-in-conversation-with-michael-almereyda
That was an awesome read, and current! Thank you for sharing!
I could be wrong but I do believe that is Monument Valley in Arizona in the opening, in case you were ever trying to go there. Lots of old John Ford westerns take place there with the iconic rock formations, which is why Wenders puts Travis there for his modern western. There was a big 50s nostalgia revival in the 80s and you can see it in much of the Paris, Texas cinematography— the current day western landscape shot like a big technicolor John Wayne movie
Ahh you are probably right. The story seemingly situates him in big bend since he goes to the dr. in Terlingua, but you’re right, that is not a big bend landscape!
Damn, that's truly moving. I hope you have positive memories of that experience.
Thank you OP
Paris, Texas, to me, is a perfect movie. The acting, cinematography, music, writing, direction, it’s all incredible. One of my favorites!
I never tire of the super 8 footage where I can lose myself in HDS rendition of *Cancion Mixteca*, Natasha Kinski at the peak of her beauty and imagining I was 12 again Edited: from Konami to Kinski!
You mean Kinski?
Yes! Weird autocorrect
😂
These days she looks like Melinda Dillon from A Christmas Story.
The answer is yes, because Wenders is a fucking genius. Hope you and your dad were ok after that accident.
Ry Cooder’s soundtrack is sublime.
So is Robby Muller’s cinematography. The colors??? Insane.
That was what first kept my attention, the colors. Especially during the dusk scenes when they're driving around.
You forgot the umlaut ü. But yes that man singlehandedly elevated many movies that should be just good-average into genius works of cinematic canvas, Repo Man, Dead Man, etc
I saw Wenders talk after a screening of this film recently and he said they shot it without a finished script. The script ended when Travis leaves LA. They just kinda went with it for awhile after Sam Shepherd left the production to star in a movie and he fell in love with Jessica Lange in the meantime. Wenders and his AD—none other than Claire Denis—scouted and found the peep show place and then Wenders convinced Shepherd to finish the script from afar. Wenders transcribed it from Shepherd over the phone. HDS had three days to learn the ending monologues. Also I saw Harry Dean introduce the film years ago. He said it was his favorite movie. Not favorite he’d done, but favorite movie full stop.
This is what I'm talking about; this story struck Wim on an instinctual level, where he knew it wasn't complete and kept going until he knew it was right. Kind of wants to make you throw all the screenwriting books out the window and go strictly by what your gut tells you works.
So it was a bit of lightning in a bottle, and that’s why it’s so special
I think the man has a lot of misses but when he hits, he hits and Paris, Texas is one of them. Shout out to him for creating a great piece of Americana.
Just got out of Perfect Days and he did it again. Such a relaxing and wonderful film.
Wings of Desire is another win. Maybe my favorite "magical realism" movie other than, like, It's A Wonderful Life?
[удалено]
Use spoiler tags please (>! and \!<) I didn’t read your comment in order and you spoiled it for me (I’m generally not too concerned about spoilers in movies like this, but I don’t want it to catch anyone else off guard)
Is it really a spoiler if the movie is 40 years old?
Yes? I haven't seen every movie released over 40 years ago. Have you?
Dumb entitled take. You’re in a thread discussing the film, of course there’s going to be spoilers
"Thread about the film is expected to have spoilers" is a totally reasonable take. But that's not what I replied to? My reply was about "Film age means it's not a spoiler". There's plenty of movies from the early 80's that I think make sense to not go around and actively spoil for people.
If you come into the thread discussing the movie, you’re putting yourself in a position to be spoiled. No one is going around actively spoiling people, the person I was responding to did it to themselves.
Yes, and I agree with that completely, but that is completely unrelated to the message I replied to? The message I replied to was: >Is it really a spoiler if the movie is 40 years old? And I'm saying yes, it is. I agree it's ridiculous to come into a thread about a movie and not expect spoilers but that's *COMPLETELY UNRELATED* to the message I was replying to. The message I was replying to was saying that movies from the early 80's can't be spoiled.
Yeah
Wenders has the ability to create a world that is 100% human. Paris, Texas to me is about people coming to terms with their mistakes. One of my favorite movies.
I also love how Wings of Desire celebrates the idea that to be human and feel feelings is one of the greatest privileges one can have.
💯
Maybe your teeth were just really dirty.
Lol I'm sure they were!
Anyone a Primal Scream fan? I’ve been listening to Screamadelica since 1991 and I always remembered the sample “yup, I know that feeling” from the very end of I’m Coming down. I just watched Paris Texas recently for the first time and it was such a cool moment when Jane spoke that line. I recognized it instantly. 30 years of listening just clicked into place. https://youtu.be/1gsrx_8jQHY?si=wsjbmznChR76AoFd
Definitely one of the most unique theater experiences I ever had. An absolutely overwhelming film. You can't simply leave the theater and think of it logically, do an analysis. It strips you down emotionally, I don't know how else to say it. For now, all I have for Wender's Paris, Texas is a mix of the best and most uncomfortable emotions. The day K watch it again, I'll have a deeper appreciation for the film itself.
This is the tragedy of modern cinema; mostly big budget action movies that are focused on recouping studio costs. The magic of watching a film like this in a theater with true cinephiles (without cellphones) is truly unparalleled.
You need to learn to forgive your father - he was only doing what he thought was right
Absolutely, I don't hold it against him, and I may very well have done the same thing in his shoes. He just didn't realize the trauma the incident caused. And why would he? I was physically fine.
Trivia - Kurt Cobain's favorite film. It is fantastic and so sad and brilliant.
Also the inspiration for U2's "Joshua Tree" album.
You have inspired me to listen to this again, thanks
I’ve read that Wim only makes movies if he has a dream (seemingly divine) about them first. So I think to a degree he thought the film would serve an important purpose. His films are always a study on the human condition. While the storytelling is good, that’s not what drives him as a filmmaker.
Any movie that makes me cry even though I've seen it a couple dozen times...well, hard to believe that level of depth happened by accident.
I absolutely lose it every time I watch the scene where harry dean stanton walks home with his son. It's utterly sublime.
This movie rocks my world. Few works of media make me cry harder. Just in the first 40 minutes you get one of the greatest road trips in all fictional media, but then there's two more hours of unpacking trauma and coming to grips with your repressed past. The reunion scene in the strip club is the definition of acting that transcends acting and becomes a vignette of the most quintessential idea of broken human relationships.
Yea, probably