The film for this Sunday is ’Paris, Texas’ (1984), probably Wim Wenders’ most well known, critically acclaimed, and successful movie.
This unusual road movie, with screenplay by acclaimed playwright Sam Shepard, tells the tale of Travis, a man lost in his own private hell. Presumed dead for four years, he reappears in the desert on the Mexico border, totally amnesiac and unresponsive. His brother Walt, who is bringing up Travis’ seven-year-old son Hunter, brings him back home with him and slowly Travis’ memory starts to recover. As virtual strangers, Hunter and Travis begin to build a wary friendship and conspire to find Jane, Travis’ ex-wife and Hunter’s mother, and bring her back to be a real family.
With extraordinary performances from Harry Dean Stanton as Travis and Natassja Kinski as Jane, the film also boasts a soundtrack by Ry Cooder, ideally suited to the film’s sun-bleached landscapes and melancholy undertones. The film won several awards, including the Cannes Palme D’Or for Best Film in 1984.
We start at 8pm in the Pfeiffer Room. We hope to see you there.