Written in the West [Paperback]

Wim Wenders (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000

Preparing his movie Paris, Texas in late 1983, German filmmaker Wim Wenders travelled the West equipped with a 6x7 medium format camera in search of subjects and locations that would bring this desolate landscape to life. Driving the empty highways of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California he was transfixed by the vastness of a country saturated with light and color and energized by the American cowboy mystique????????????a country that even in the 20th century had lost none of its evocative, mythic power. This collection of lush, colorful photographs displays dramatic, visually arresting images, haunting vistas and the poetic dilapidation of a country touched by man but ruled by nature. An interview with the photographer reveals the many ways Wenders was both moved and bemused by the "heartland" of the American Dream. His sensibility, along with outstanding photographic skills, allows us to expericence the West in a whole new brillianty colorful light.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In preparation for shooting the film Paris, Texas in late 1983, director Wim Wenders traveled the West equipped with a 5 x 6 medium format camera searching out subjects and locations that would bring that desolate landscape to life. For several months he drove the empty highways of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California, transfixed by the vastness of a country saturated with light and color and energized by the American cowboy mystique. Even in the twentieth century, it was a landscape that had lost none of its evocative, mythic power. This collection of lush, colorful photographs magnificently displays what Wenders' practiced eye sought out: dramatic and visually arresting images, haunting vistas, and the poetic dilapidation of a country touched by man but ruled by nature. An enlightening interview with the photographer reveals the many ways that Wenders, a European traveling in a distinctly American landscape, was both moved by and bemused by what he considers the heartland of the American Dream. It is this sensibility, along with Wenders enormous photographic talents, that lend this collection a unique quality, and that allow us to experience the West in a whole new, brilliantly colorful light.

About the Author

Wim Wenders was born in 1945 in Düsseldorf, Germany. He studied at the Munich Film and Television Academy and in 1975 he founded his own production company. He has directed such internationally acclaimed films as Alice in the Cities, Kings of the Road, The American Friend, Wings of Desire, Paris, Texas, The Buena Vista Social Club (nominated for an Academy Award), and, most recently, The Million Dollar Hotel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Teneues (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3823854690
• ISBN-13: 978-3823854692
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,167,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up front America, March 12, 2003

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Written in the West (Paperback)

I suppose it was only to be expected that filmmaker Wim Wenders would have an eye for composing a good photo. This book of sixty-two, originally published in 1987, is thankfully still in print. They were taken in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas while Wenders was looking for locations for his movie 'Paris, Texas'. Predictably they show a European notion of America so most of them capture what could be considered a rather negative image, abandoned gas stations in the desert, deserted movie theatres and shops, neon signs, everyday commercial activity and more. But they are taken with a sympathetic eye and great feeling.

There are six really great images of street corners, this kind of shot always works, shop-fronts and parked cars stretch into the distance while the immediate foreground provides close-up detail. As with all Wenders photos the color is very controlled and he takes advantage of the very strong dark shadows created by the sunlight in this part of the country. There are four interior photos which I don't think are too successful, very dark and rather lacking in composition.

I don't think this will be a photo book to everybody's taste, because of the subject matter but if you like the grittiness of the American street scene it is well worth owning. A book that captures the same area in great color photos is 'Southwest USA' (ISBN 0500541213) by another German, Gerd Kittel. More broader in scope than 'Written in the West', it includes many interior and landscape photos as well as the small town street scenes.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book - a must have companion to "Once", July 10, 2003

By 

Mediahound (SF Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Written in the West (Paperback)

If I had to choose only one Wim Wenders photography book, it would be "Once". That said, "Written in the West" is an awesome companion to "Once". It has a great interview in the front of the book but the 60+ photos are featured without further commentary other than titles and locations.

"Once" has more commentary on each photo or series of photos and has more photos altogether. This is why I prefer that book. However "Once" is a smaller book whereas "Written in the West" is more of a coffe table sized book.

The presentation is great and the color photos offer a unique perspective on the American west. Wenders even tells us what camera and lens he used and why.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written in the West by Wim Wenders, January 10, 2007

By 

LKL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Written in the West (Paperback)

As soon as my photography professor shared with me his copy of this book I knew I had to have it.