Wim Wenders cuts nude scene from 'Falsche Bewegung' and apologizes to Nastassja Kinski after 15-year dispute

The scene that sparked a 15-year battle

In Wim Wenders' 1975 road movie "Falsche Bewegung", the 13-year-old Nastassja Kinski appears topless for about two minutes. A man slaps her face and then strokes it while she wears only underpants. Filming took place in 1974 when Wenders was 30. Kinski, now 65, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung in May 2026 that she had felt uncomfortable during the shoot and had been trying since around 2011 to have the scene removed. She described realizing as a child that it was not okay and that Wenders, her first director, had not protected her. In early 2026 she engaged a lawyer, and formal legal steps against the director were announced.

Growing pressure and Wenders' first apology

At the German Film Award ceremony in May 2026, Wenders said he would never make such a scene today but declined to cut it, arguing that he could not reproach his younger self for a film of its time. He suggested that filmmakers must wrestle with how to handle their legacy. Public criticism mounted, and in early June the Wenders Foundation instructed streaming, TV, and distribution partners to stop making "Falsche Bewegung" available. Shortly afterward, Wenders issued a direct apology.

“As the only one of those responsible for 'Falsche Bewegung' at the time who is still here, I see that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected. I apologize for that to you, Nastassja, without ifs and buts.”

The joint resolution

On 31 July 2026, the foundation published a joint statement from Wenders and Kinski. They announced that the conflict had been resolved and that Wenders had agreed to remove the disputed scene from all future versions of the film. The scene was cut "without replacement" out of respect for Kinski, and the new edit was provided for her review. No legal case remains active.

“Wim Wenders has apologized to Nastassja Kinski and complied with her wish to cut the scene she objected to from the film. We are united by the wish that the memory of the film should no longer be overshadowed by this conflict and that the long-standing friendly relationship can be restored.”

ARD removes "Reifezeugnis" from program

The public broadcaster ARD acted in parallel: it permanently withdrew the 1977 crime film "Reifezeugnis" from its schedule. That film, a cult TV movie in which Kinski played a student involved with a teacher, also contained nude scenes featuring the then-underage actress. ARD cited the broader criticism triggered by the "Falsche Bewegung" case as the reason for the decision, marking a further institutional response to the debate over on-screen treatment of minors.