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Faraway, So Close!
https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1789		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  hippiedalek [ 01 Oct 2012, 11:54 ]
Post subject:  Faraway, So Close!
As I've said many times before on the forum I'm a massive fan of the Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire" ("Der Himmel über Berlin") which in my opinion is as close to a perfect film as possible. The film had a sequel called "Faraway, So Close!" ("In Weiter Ferne, so Nah!") that I've heard mixed things about. Everyone seems to agree that it's not as good as Wings, but some say it is worth seeing, others say it ruins the original.

Annoyingly, as far as I can tell, the film has never been released here in the UK on any format, the US DVD is out of print and I'd have to buy the laserdisc from overseas so it would cost more than the usual LD purchase.

What I'm wondering is if anyone here has seen the film and can give me their opinion of whether it's worth the effort. I guess you could say I'm asking if it is worth the risk : p

I realise that opinions are different between people and I'll no doubt see the film one way or the other, but I'm trying to decide if I'm going to actively seek it out or wait until I come across a copy nearer to me.
Author:  rein-o [ 01 Oct 2012, 16:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
i have not seen it, i have wings of desire to watch one day, i've only seen parts.

but, can't you check on youtube to see if they have parts of the film?
sometimes they do.
Author:  signofzeta [ 01 Oct 2012, 20:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
This is my favorite (non-animated) movie of all time, AND I have the LD so I guess I'm the person who's opinion you are looking for.

The movie has the same characters as WoD, and in that sense its a sequel, but is done in a completely different style making it really seem like something that exists on its own. It's not a love story, and it had a lot more characters in it. Just as Germany changed post-unification, so did the setting for this movie. A straight sequel would be stupid. The original story was complete. This one isn't about Damiel, it's about Cassiel, and what's going on with him now that his best friend has left him. He doesn't long to be human, he is accidentally thrust into it...and he sucks at it.

The story is bit hard to understand at times, but the setting, mood, message are great. The sound track is amazing. The LD is about average for stuff from this time. I say get it unless its going to run you $100 or something, in which case just get the BR.
Author:  hippiedalek [ 02 Oct 2012, 11:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
Thanks for the infor and the opinions, signofzeta. I don't think the film has been released on Blu Ray yet. I picked up the Criterion release of Wings of Desire on Blu Ray and it is superb. A quick check on blu-ray.com shows that there's an Italian Blu ray coming up, might try and grab that when it comes available: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Faraway-So-Close-Blu-ray/40836/

As for the DVD, well this is why I haven't bought it so far: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_16?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=faraway+so+close&x=0&y=0&sprefix=faraway+so+close%2Caps%2C200

rein-o, yeah I can watch bits of it on youtube, but for me that would spoil bits of the film.
Author:  rein-o [ 02 Oct 2012, 18:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
hippiedalek wrote:
rein-o, yeah I can watch bits of it on youtube, but for me that would spoil bits of the film.

i totally agree, but it sometimes gives me ideas if i should buy a title or not.
i saw this LD the black scorpion and never heard of the film, it was a 50s giant monster film.

so i checked out a few minutes on youtube and thought i would like it so i bought a copy, i have't
watched it yet but it helped me.

anyway, now i'll have to look for this film and see it.
thanks, :thumbup:
Author:  rein-o [ 02 Oct 2012, 19:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
hey, i just did a search on ebay, i found a copy on LD, but i also see there is a for only a few bucks, one is in switzerland, it might be cheaper for you?

Faraway, So Close! (1993) [79966]
Author:  hippiedalek [ 02 Oct 2012, 20:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
I missed the two for sale on lddb. I'm watching another LD film on ebay at the minute and my thinking is that if I don't win that one (quite likely) then I'll just buy myself a copy of Faraway from the US or indeed Switzerland (if I can make up an order over $20 from that seller).
Author:  rein-o [ 02 Oct 2012, 20:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
that's lame, i don't understand why some sellers put a minimum.
good luck anyway with getting a copy.
Author:  moon-child-1982 [ 14 Oct 2012, 00:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
I watched both movies some weeks ago and than bought the Laserdiscs which arrived last week.

LDDB said it is only spoken in GERMAN.

Funny that now is running a TV comercial for a mobile phone taplet pc (what else who cares) with Wim Wenders ? seeing some scenes of the movie and how Berlin was changing and how easy it is today to imagine and doing work with this gizmo.

This movie is on the first 1/3 of all my LDs ... very good if you like "art movies", if you like exploding action not.

Did you get the LD ??
you can get a vhs to watch http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261106136561
Author:  signofzeta [ 14 Oct 2012, 06:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
Wim Wenders movies in general tend to be very multi-lingual. The only down side of this is that most people are going to absolutely need the subtitles no matter what part of the world they live in for at least part of the movie, so if the movie was never localized for your region you might be at a loss.

This is why I don't import Bergman movies from Japan...even though the covers are great, I don't understand Swedish! :)

Speaking of Wenders, I was lucky enough to see Pina in 3D when it came to my town. It was probably the only time I've seen a 3D movie where I wasn't basically just annoyed by dark blurry images and inflated ticket prices. The 3D truly enhances the movie. I'm told the same is true of Cave of Forgotten Dreams, but I missed that one.
Author:  hippiedalek [ 15 Oct 2012, 10:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
Cheers for the info. I still haven't got a copy but will let you know when I do. I'd spotted that VHS but no longer have a player. So far Wings of Desire is the only Wenders film I've seen but I'm planning to see more.
Author:  starman15317 [ 05 Dec 2012, 19:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Faraway, So Close!
Faraway, So Close is pretty good (I love the title track from U2), but Wings of Desire is better.
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