‘Movies can change the world but not in a political way’ says Wim Wenders

At a press conference to open the 76th edition of the Berlin film festival, the jury president said cinema has an incredible power' but little influence on political decision makers

Veteran director Wim Wenders has hailed the power of cinema to help heal a broken planet as he takes up the jury presidency of the Berlinale, the most politically charged of Europe's big three international film festivals.

Asked about the role of movies in the current climate of war and social upheaval, the auteur behind Wings of Desire and the Oscar-nominated Perfect Days said he saw film-making as an act of bridge-building and generating empathy.