We revisit one of the most underrated films about the aftermath of the date that changed the world.
Land of Plentyfollows Paul, a Vietnam veteran who compulsively puts Arabs under aural and optic surveillance.
Hes fiercely loyal to his country, but obsessively motivated by the destruction of the Twin Towers.
Lana engages each person she meets with a smile and the desire to connect.
The very cinematography of Wenders film is indebted to the technologies used and codified by the military.
When Paul starts to break down and shouts at his co-conspirator Jimmy, America needs us!
They tried to infect our country!
the they is a not so subtle implication (and indictment) of Muslims.
A pervasive fear of otherness infiltrates our national discussions regarding borders and refugees.
Immigration will no doubt be at the fore of the impending presidential elections.
And visually, surveillance footage has graduated from Pauls rickety lone camera outside his van to drones.
This technology is not just aerial surveillance, but entertainments newest special effect.
As Obi-Wan Kenobi might say to bemused directors, Thesearethe drones youre looking for.
Yet, Wenders is not offering a polemic film on politics or the war.
Rather, he is interested in parsing through the intricacies of human relationships.
Lana helps him arrive at these moments of compassion and empathy, despite his best efforts to resist her.
Despite Damiels ability to survey anyone and everyone, he cannot feel or taste, or touch.
He eventually rejects immortality in favor of a deep-rooted need for humanity.
Even in the midst of misery and suffering and xenophobia, it islovethat unites us and love trumps all.
