In a remarkable life that has progressed from studying film to reviewing films to making films, Wim Wenders has documented the lives of forgotten Cuban jazz musicians (in Buena Vista Social Club), explored the value of truth (in Paris, Texas) asked what really makes us human (in Wings of Desire) and shown us the value of making something, even something as impermanent as dance (in Pina).

All of us who read this newspaper know that in the beginning was the Word. We all know that the Word was with God and the Word was God. But do we take this description of basic reality seriously enough to concede that the Word has real, practical meaning? 

CANNES, France – When films by Fellini and Rossellini topped the list of Pope Francis’ favorites, it should have been clear that, when it comes to cinema, this is an unusually discerning pontiff.