Paris, Texas is probably Wim Wenders' most well known, critically acclaimed, and successful movie, winning a number of international prizes, including The Cannes Palm D'Or for Best Film in 1984.  Written by Pulitzer- winning playwright Sam Shepard, it defined the career of Harry Dean Stanton, inspired U2's album The Joshua Tree and is reportedly the favourite film of the likes of Kurt Cobain and Elliot Smith.

Paris, Texas opens with what seems a romantic image of a man in a dusty suit walking across the American wasteland. However, we soon learn his painful story. Presumed dead for four years after walking out on his family, Travis reappears from the desert on the Mexico border, world weary and an amnesiac. He traces his brother Walt who is bringing up Hunter, his seven-year-old son, his ex-wife Jane having abandoned him at Walt's door several years before. As virtual strangers, Hunter and Travis begin to build a wary friendship and conspire to find Jane and bring her back to be a real family.

Full of subtleties, Wender's haunting masterpiece shows the intimate and emotional journey of a man whose failures, flaws and compulsion to run from pain have isolated him from those he loves most. With every scene shot with the precision and beauty of a postcard, it reveals the contrast of the open West with the reality of the life he must now face - cities, skyscrapers and the complications of relationships and life.

With extraordinary performances from Harry Dean Stanton as Travis and Natassja Kinski as Jane, the film also boasts a soundtrack by Ry Cooder, ideally suited to the film's sun bleached landscapes and melancholy undertones.

CAST:
Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell, Aurore Clement, Hunter Carson

DIRECTOR:  Wim Wenders
SCREENPLAY:  Sam Shepard