The German director Wim Wenders has withdrawn his 1975 film "The Wrong Move" from distribution and streaming platforms after a scene featuring a topless teenage actress resurfaced in public debate. The decision, announced by his production company on Tuesday, follows renewed scrutiny of historical depictions of minors in cinema.
The film, an adaptation of Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship", includes a sequence in which a 14-year-old actress, portrayed by a then-15-year-old performer, appears topless. Wenders, 78, stated that the scene no longer aligns with contemporary ethical standards and that he wished to remove it from circulation to avoid causing distress.
"I realise that what was acceptable in filmmaking in the 1970s is not acceptable today," Wenders said in a statement. "I have chosen to withdraw the film entirely as I cannot in good conscience endorse its continued availability."
The move has generated both support and criticism within the film community. Some argue that retroactively censoring works erodes artistic integrity and historical context. Others commend Wenders for acknowledging changing social norms and the need for greater accountability.
The controversy ignited after a social media user highlighted the scene, prompting discussions about the treatment of underage actors in European cinema of that era. Several films from the same period have faced similar scrutiny, including those by directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci and Louis Malle.
The Wrong Move starred Rüdiger Vogler and Hanna Schygulla, and was part of Wenders' acclaimed "Road Movie" trilogy. It won several awards at the time of its release, including the German Film Award for Best Feature Film.
Wenders has urged distributors and streaming services to cease streaming the film internationally. The British Film Institute, which held a restored version in its archive, confirmed it would comply with the director's request.
The episode underscores a broader reckoning within the cultural sector over historical depictions of youth and consent. Institutional responses have varied, with some archives choosing to retain films with contextual warnings rather than removing them entirely.
For now, Wenders' decision marks a definitive closure for one of his lesser-known works, as the industry continues to navigate the delicate intersection of art, history, and modern ethics.
