ANSELM

Wim Wenders’ portrait of the artist Anselm Kiefer is a mesmerizing cinematic experience in 3D and a stunning exploration of Kiefer’s life, work and methodology. One of the most innovative and important painters and sculptors of our time, Kiefer is revered around the world, but has always had a more complicated reception in his native Germany. Wenders traces Kiefer’s emergence as a major international artist – even while his determination to confront Germany’s past leads to controversy in his homeland – through to the present day. As with his 2011 documentary PINA, Wenders makes full use of the 3D technology at his disposal. He showcases Kiefer’s monumental works and catalogues their creation–cue remarkable footage of Kiefer wielding a flamethrower. One of Wenders’ exceptional duo of films that premiered at this year's Cannes–the other, PERFECT DAYS, also plays at this year's HIFF–ANSELM is a riveting and rigorous depiction of an artist and his philosophy.