Director Wenders pulls 1975 film over child nude scene
RTÉ
Overall Assessment
The article reports on Wim Wenders’ decision to withdraw his 1975 film following criticism from Nastassja Kinski, who appeared topless at age 13. It fairly presents both her perspective and Wenders’ apology, while situating the issue within broader industry debates. The tone is measured, sourcing is strong, and context is well provided.
"a scene in which she appeared topless when she was 13 years old"
Loaded Language
Headline & Lead 90/100
The headline is accurate and appropriately focused on the central development without sensationalism, effectively guiding readers to the article's substance.
✕ Headline / Body Mismatch: The headline clearly and accurately summarises the core event — Wim Wenders withdrawing his 1975 film due to a child nude scene — without exaggeration or emotional manipulation.
"Director Wenders pulls 1975 film over child nude scene"
Language & Tone 94/100
The tone is consistently objective, with careful word choice and avoidance of emotional or judgmental language, even when covering sensitive subject matter.
✕ Loaded Language: The article uses neutral, factual language throughout, avoiding emotionally charged descriptors when discussing sensitive content.
"a scene in which she appeared topless when she was 13 years old"
✕ Editorializing: Reports Kinski’s and Wenders’ statements without editorial commentary or judgment, preserving objectivity.
""That was my first film, he was my first director, and he didn't protect me," Berlin-born Kinski told the newspaper."
✕ Euphemism: Does not use scare quotes or euphemisms; describes the scene factually and consistently.
Balance 92/100
Strong sourcing from key individuals and institutions, with clear attribution and balanced representation of perspectives.
✓ Comprehensive Sourcing: The article includes direct statements from both Wenders (via his foundation) and Kinski (via interview), as well as her lawyer, ensuring multiple stakeholder perspectives are represented.
""For that, I apologise to you, Nastassja, unreservedly, no ifs and buts," said Wenders..."
✓ Proper Attribution: Properly attributes claims to named sources including Süddeutsche Zeitung, AFP, and Bild am Sonntag, avoiding vague or anonymous sourcing.
"Last month, Kinski, 65, gave an interview to Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung daily..."
✓ Viewpoint Diversity: Presents Kinski’s criticism and Wenders’ apology without privileging one voice over the other in tone or space, maintaining balance.
"I also regret that it has only happened as [a] result of public pressure," Schertz said."
Story Angle 88/100
The article adopts a reflective, context-rich angle that avoids reductive conflict framing and instead emphasizes institutional responsibility and historical reassessment.
✕ Framing by Emphasis: The story is framed around accountability and evolving ethical standards, not as a binary conflict, allowing space for reflection and institutional response.
""Only an open and respectful exchange can lead us to reconsider positions and reassess responsibilities.""
✕ Episodic Framing: Avoids reducing the issue to a simple 'he said, she said' conflict, instead presenting it as part of an ongoing cultural reckoning in cinema.
"Wrong Move is one of several films that have gained notoriety due to complaints from the actors who starred in them."
Completeness 85/100
The article effectively situates the withdrawal of Wrong Move within a wider historical and cultural context of on-set ethics and child protection in cinema.
✓ Contextualisation: The article provides valuable context by referencing other controversial films (Romeo and Juliet, Last Tango in Paris), helping readers understand this incident as part of a broader pattern in film history.
"Wrong Move is one of several films that have gained notoriety due to complaints from the actors who starred in them."
✓ Contextualisation: Includes relevant background on Kinski’s relationship with her father, which adds depth to her public stance on exploitation and protection in the film industry.
"In 2013, she gave an interview to Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper in which she described her late father as a 'tyrant' and accused him of trying to abuse her."
Past film practices framed as harmful to individual rights, particularly of minors
By referencing lawsuits and non-consensual scenes in other films like Last Tango in Paris and Romeo and Juliet, the article builds a pattern of harm, positioning past cinematic choices as violating human dignity and rights.
"Last Tango in Paris, directed by the Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci in 1972, contains a rape scene filmed without the consent of actress Maria Schneider, who was then 19."
Media institutions and past filmmaking practices framed as ethically illegitimate in retrospect
The article frames historical media production through the lens of evolving ethical standards, highlighting how scenes once accepted are now being re-evaluated as harmful. This reflects a broader delegitimisation of past industry norms.
"Only an open and respectful exchange can lead us to reconsider positions and reassess responsibilities."
Cultural debate over archival art and censorship framed as being in crisis due to ethical reconsideration
The decision to withdraw a film from distribution and initiate a 'broad dialogue' about its future suggests instability in how society balances artistic legacy against ethical accountability, implying a crisis in cultural norms.
"Only after that process has taken place - even if it takes considerable time - and once we have been able to present a mutually agreed solution, which will include Nastassja Kinski, will we make the film available again"
Child actors portrayed as historically threatened and inadequately protected in the film industry
The article emphasizes Kinski’s vulnerability at age 13 and Wenders’ admission of failure to protect her, framing child performers as being in a state of historical vulnerability.
"That was my first film, he was my first director, and he didn't protect me"
Women in film history portrayed as excluded from agency and protection, especially during youth
The focus on female actors (Kinski, Schneider, Hussey) recounting exploitation underscores a pattern of women being placed in vulnerable positions without consent or safeguarding, implying systemic exclusion from control over their own images.
"She later said that she was crying real tears during filming and that her co-star, Marlon Brando, did not console her afterwards."
The article reports on Wim Wenders’ decision to withdraw his 1975 film following criticism from Nastassja Kinski, who appeared topless at age 13. It fairly presents both her perspective and Wenders’ apology, while situating the issue within broader industry debates. The tone is measured, sourcing is strong, and context is well provided.
This article is part of an event covered by 3 sources.
View all coverage: "Wim Wenders withdraws 1975 film Wrong Move following Nastassja Kinski's advocacy over 1975 scene featuring her as a 13-year-old"German director Wim Wenders has withdrawn his 1975 film Wrong Move following public objections from actress Nastassja Kinski, who appeared topless at age 13 in the film. Wenders has apologised and initiated a consultation process with film institutions and Kinski to determine the film’s future. The case joins others in ongoing debates about child safety and consent in classic cinema.
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