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Invitation to participate in a 'Until the End of the World' transcript

posted 16 years ago by merubin75
3 replies | jump to latest

Hello everyone,

My name is Michael and I live in Chicago. I remember seeing "Until the End of the World" for the first time after it came out on home video. I was 17 at the time and the film simultaneously stimulated, confused, and enthralled me. Throughout the years, different themes and images have resonated with me as I've grown older. I even once left school to go on a crazy 'dance around the planet' of my own to Australia partly as an homage to this wonderful film.

Recently, I was able to obtain a copy of the Director's Cut. It has re-awakened my love and appreciation for this film. Indeed, it has given me much new food for thought. I know opinion is mixed, but I am truly grateful for Wim Wenders' amazing artistic vision and how it has impacted my life.

As I watched the Director's Cut, I too became frustrated at the lack of translation for certain parts of the film. I immediately thought that a transcript might be a good idea to fill in the gaps. I did a Google search (something our beloved Herr Direktor 'overlooked' as he visualized the world of 1999 from the vantage point of 1991) and have not been able to find anything.

The time has come to give something back. With the coming New Year, I am planning to begin transcribing the film into English. That way, those who cannot comprehend certain multi-lingual aspects of the film will still be able to follow along and not have these areas of story closed off to them. Unfortunately, I do not speak French, so that is why I am making this announcement here.

So I am putting out a call for volunteers throughout the world:

* If you would like to assist with transcribing the English portions of the film, please contact me.

* If you would like to assist with translating and transcribing the French portions of the film (or solicit the assistance of a friend who does), please contact me.

My e-mail address is [email protected]. To quote Claire, "I will be waiting for your call."

Cheers,
Michael

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"I believed in the healing power of words and story..."
- Eugene Fitzpatrick, "Until the End of the World"

[–] John_Titor_2036 16 years ago

Do you speak French at all? Or are you hoping to bump elbows with someone that does in order to do the work, which isn't much.

Like I've stated before about this. I believe Wenders did this on purpose. If you listen to Claire, Chico and Raymond talking in the car, carefully, you can very easily get the gist of what is being said without subtitles. It's almost like a nod to people who watch a lot of subtitled films having carefully placed dialog that could be understood by any lay person without knowledge of the language.

The car crash scene is pretty clear about what's being said. Are you alright? No, I'm not alright. Would you like a drink? ... etc.

In the car later, Chico is talking about needing a drink (again), sex and The Beatles. Raymond shakes his head in disgust and says: For a change! No mystery there.

Later she tells Chico how much a goat costs in Ethiopia and after the car ride Sam says: Thank you for saving my life.

[–] merubin75 16 years ago

I was hoping to bump into someone who does speak French.

I understand what you're saying, but it's not just the parts in the beginning that are incomprehensible. Later in act 3, for example, Claire is reading a book to Edith. I would love to know what she is reading.

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"I believed in the healing power of words..." - Eugene Fitzpatrick, "Until the End of the World"

[–] John_Titor_2036 16 years ago

Good form ... you seem to enjoy this movie as much as I do.