The celebrated German director Wim Wenders has withdrawn his latest film from distribution following a morality crackdown that targeted a scene featuring a teenage actress without a top. The decision came after pressure from regulatory bodies and public outcry, with the director citing an inability to compromise his artistic vision.
The film, a coming-of-age drama set in 1970s Berlin, had been scheduled for release next month. Wenders said the scene was integral to the narrative, exploring adolescent vulnerability in a repressive era. However, censors deemed it inappropriate for a minor, leading to the director's drastic step.
Industry insiders say the move reflects a wider climate of anxiety around depictions of youth, with streaming platforms and broadcasters increasingly cautious. The British Board of Film Classification has yet to comment, but a source said the scene would likely have required cuts.
Wenders, 78, is known for works like 'Paris, Texas' and 'Wings of Desire'. His decision has divided opinion. Some praise his integrity, others question whether withdrawing the film helps the cause of free expression. For the cast and crew, it is a bitter blow: months of work shelved in a shifting moral landscape.
