Summer in the City (film)
Encyclopedia
Summer in the City is the first full-length feature film
by director Wim Wenders
, released in 1970
and starring Hanns Zischler.
Wenders' first full-length film was produced as his graduation project at the Academy of Film and Television in Munich
("Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München") which he attended from 1967 to 1970. Shot in 16 mm
black and white by subsequent long-time Wenders collaborator Robby Müller
, the movie exhibited many of Wenders' later trademark themes of aimless searching, running from invisible demons, and persistent wandering toward an indeterminate goal. In this case the journey is that of protagonist Hans (Zischler) after he is released from prison. Searching through seedy West German
streets and bars, he finally winds up visiting an old friend in Berlin
.
According to Wenders, the title of the film relates to the song from the band The Lovin' Spoonful
, which was also included in the film, although a painting by Edward Hopper
might have influenced Wenders as well. Wenders was a fan of both The Lovin' Spoonful and Hopper, references to whom he included in several of his films.
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
by director Wim Wenders
Wim Wenders
Ernst Wilhelm "Wim" Wenders is a German film director, playwright, author, photographer and producer.-Early life:Wenders was born in Düsseldorf. He graduated from high school in Oberhausen in the Ruhr area. He then studied medicine and philosophy in Freiburg and Düsseldorf...
, released in 1970
1970 in film
The year 1970 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, therefore ending his career....
and starring Hanns Zischler.
Wenders' first full-length film was produced as his graduation project at the Academy of Film and Television in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
("Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München") which he attended from 1967 to 1970. Shot in 16 mm
16 mm film
16 mm film refers to a popular, economical gauge of film used for motion pictures and non-theatrical film making. 16 mm refers to the width of the film...
black and white by subsequent long-time Wenders collaborator Robby Müller
Robby Müller
Robby Müller is a cinematographer whose name is most often associated with film director Wim Wenders.-Life and work:...
, the movie exhibited many of Wenders' later trademark themes of aimless searching, running from invisible demons, and persistent wandering toward an indeterminate goal. In this case the journey is that of protagonist Hans (Zischler) after he is released from prison. Searching through seedy West German
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
streets and bars, he finally winds up visiting an old friend in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
According to Wenders, the title of the film relates to the song from the band The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful
The Lovin' Spoonful is an American pop rock band of the 1960s, named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. When asked about his band, leader John Sebastian said it sounded like a combination of "Mississippi John Hurt and Chuck Berry," prompting his friend, Fritz Richmond, to suggest the name...
, which was also included in the film, although a painting by Edward Hopper
Edward Hopper
Edward Hopper was a prominent American realist painter and printmaker. While most popularly known for his oil paintings, he was equally proficient as a watercolorist and printmaker in etching...
might have influenced Wenders as well. Wenders was a fan of both The Lovin' Spoonful and Hopper, references to whom he included in several of his films.