On Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 13, 2018), 60 Minutes will air its interview with documentary filmmaker Wim Wenders. He is the director of the new documentary Pope Francis – A Man of His Word. Clips from the film reveal the 81-year-old pope speaking in his native Spanish directly to the camera (an image of Wim Wenders was there for the Pope to look at) about the current mental, spiritual and physical health of society at large. (The documentary format called “The System” was developed by documentary maker Errol Morris. He used it to amazing effect in The Fog of War.)
In the Wenders film, the Pontiff encourages people to rest at least once a week, like the Jews who keep Sabbath on Saturdays. “We are not machines,” says the Pope with a smile (translated). Wenders also reveals behind the scene takes. “There was no makeup, no wardrobe, no props,” says Wenders. It is not a biographical film. Over the course of “four long afternoons,” the pope spoke about his hopes for the church and for mankind.
Wim Wenders is the 72-year-old German-born director who has been nominated for three Oscars for Best Documentary Feature — the tremendous Buena Vista Social Club (1999) about Cuban music, Pina (2011) about modern dance choreographer Pina Bausch, and The Salt of the Earth (2014) about Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado. Wenders is also known for his films Paris, Texas (1984), Wings of Desire (1987), and Faraway, So Close! (1993). 60 Minutes airs Sundays at 7pm on CBS.
