Director Wim Wenders has formally apologised to actor Nastassja Kinski for filming her topless as a teenager in his 1975 film The Wrong Move.
The German road movie, about the experiences of a travelling writer, featured a scene where Kinski, then only 13, was shown topless. It was to be her film debut, with the actor going on to become one of the most celebrated names in European cinema. For years, she has appealed to Wenders to edit the shot from the movie.
Recently, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung (translated by EW): “Although I didn’t know much at the age of 13, I could already tell that it wasn’t right… That was my first film, he was my first director, and he didn’t protect me.”
Two weeks ago, she posted an image of herself in the film on Instagram, writing in German that the film has “stayed with me my whole life” and that she “wished for justice”.
Now, Wenders has accepted responsibility, posting an apology on Instagram and promising that the film will no longer be available. “I recognise that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected back then,” he wrote in a statement. “For that, I apologise to you, Nastassja, unreservedly, no ifs and buts.” You can read the full statement below.
Regarding the future, he stated that The Wrong Move has been taken down from “all current forms of distribution and exhibition. Streaming partners, television broadcasters and distribution partners will be instructed to cease public access to the film.” Kinski is yet to publicly respond to the film maker’s statement.
Kinski and Wenders would go on to work together twice more, on the 1984 classic Paris, Texas, and 1993 drama Faraway, So Close. Wenders would be best know for films such as 1987’s Wings Of Desire, 1991’s Until The End Of The World, and 2000 drama The Million Dollar Hotel, which was based on a story by Bono.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.